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BOUlv OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



WW. XOI.UMf', roXTAIXS 



9Tf 



Bio(;rai'hicai. Sketches 

OF Leading Citizens 



OK 



L.WVRILXCIi COUNTY, PI:NNSVLVAXI.\. 



'• HIOGKAPIIV IS IllE OXLV TKUE II [SrORYr—V.>.\v.y^i.os. 



lilOGRAPniCAI. inBI.lSIIINC. COMPANY. 

BUFFALO. N. \. 

1897. 






/b 



A., 



1^1 



PREFACE. 



^Ji 



03 




WING brought to a successful termination our labors in Lawrence County in 
compiling and editing the sketches herein contained, we desire, in presenting 
^ this Book of Biographies to our patrons, to make a few remarks, necessarily 
^^•^ ' brief, in regard to the value and importance of local works of this nature. 
We agree with Ralph Waldo Emerson that " Biography is the only true History," and 
also are of the opinion that a collection of the biographies of the leading men of a nation 
would give a more interesting, as well as authentic, histor\- of their countr)- than any 
other that could be written. The value of such a production as this cannot be too highly 
estimated. With each succeeding year the haze of Obscuritj- remoxes more and more 
from our view the fast disappearing landmarks of the past. Oblivion sj)rinkles her dust of 
forgetfulness on men and their deeds, effectually concealing them from the public eye, 
and because of the many living objects which claim our attention, few of those who have 
been removed from the busy world linger long in our memory. Even the glorious achieve- 
ments of the present age ma\' not insure it from being lost in the glare of greater things 
to come, and so it is manifestlx' a duty to posterit\- for the men of the present time to 
preserve a record of their lives and a stor)- of their progress from low and humble begin- 
nings to great and noble deeds, in order that future generations ma\' read the account of 
their successful struggles, and profit by their example. A local history affords the best 
means of preserving ancestral history, and it also becomes, immediate]}- upon its publica- 
tion, a ready book of reference for those who have occasion to seek biographical data of 
the leading and early-settled families. Names, dates and events are not easily remem- 
bered by the average man, so it behooves the generations now living, who wish to live 
in the memory of then' descendants, to write their own records, making them full and 
broad in scope, and minute in detail, and insure their preservation by having them put 
in [Minted form. We firmly believe that in these collated personal memoirs will be found 
as true and as faithful a record of Lawrence County as may be obtained anywhere, for 
the very sufficient reason that its growth and de\'elopment are identified with that of 



iv PREFACE. 

the men who have made her wliat she is to-day — the representative, leading men, whose 
personal sketches it has been a pleasure to us to write and give a place in this volume. 
From the time when the hand of civilized man had not yet violated the virgin soil with 
desecrating plough, nor with the ever-ready frontiersman's ax felled the noble, almost 
limitless, forests, to the present period of activity in all branches of industry, we may 
read in the histories of the county's leading men and of their ancestors the steady growth 
and development which has been going on here for a century and a half, and bids fair 
to continue for centuries to come. A hundred years from now, whatever records of the 
present time are then e.xtant, having withstood the ravages of time and the ceaseless war 
of the elements, will be viewed with an absorbing interest, equalling, if not surpassing, 
that which is taken to-day in the histor)' of the early settlements of America. 

It has been our purpose in the preparation of this work to pass over no phase or 
portion of it slightingly, but to give attention to the smallest points, and thus invest it 
with an air of accuracy, to be obtained in no other way. The result has amply justified 
the care that has been taken, for it is our honest belief that no more reliable production, 
under the circumstances, could have been compiled. 

One feature of this work, to which we have given special prominence, and which we 
are sure will prove of extraordinary interest, is the collection of portraits of the represen- 
tative and leading citizens, which appear throughout the volume. We have tried to 
represent the different spheres of industrial and professional activity as well as we might. 
To those who have been so uniformly obliging and have kindly interested themselves in 
the success of this work, volunteering information and data, which have been very helpful 
to us in preparing this Book of Biographies of Lawrence County, we desire to express 
our grateful and profound acknowledgment of their valued services. 

Bl-ffai.o. N. v., 1897. ' THK PUBLISHKRS. 



NOTE 

All the biographical sketches published in this volume were sub- 
mitted to their respective subjects, or to the subscribers, from whom 
the facts were primarily obtained, for their approval or correction 
before going to press; and a reasonable time was allowed in each 
case for the return of the t\-pe-written copies. Most of them were 
returned to us within the time allotted, or before the work was 
printed, after being corrected or revised ; and these may therefore 
be regarded as reasonably accurate. 

A few, however, were not returned to us; and, as we have no 
means of knowing whether the\' contain errors or not, we cannot 
vouch for their accuracy. In justice to our readers, and to render 
this work more valuable for reference purposes, we have indicated 
tliese uncorrected sketches by a small asterisk (*), placed imme- 
diately qifter the name of the subject. They will all be found on 
the last pages of the book. 

BIOGRArillCAL PUHLLSIIING CO. 



Book of Biographies 



I.AWIv^KXOH COUNTY. PA. 




COL. OSCAR L. JACKSON. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES 



LAWRENCE COUNTY. 




• LONEL JACKSOX. Oscar 
Lawrence Jackson, of Xew Cas- 
tle, a distinguished soUlier, lawyer 
and Member of Congress, was 
horn in Lawrence County, Pa. (at that time a 
part of Beaver County), Sept. 2, 1840. His an- 
cestors were Scotch-Irish and early settlers in the 
State. His great-grandfatiier, Samuel Jackson, 
was horn in the Highlands of Scotland, resided 
some years in the .\orth of Ireland, emigrated to 
the L'nited States, and after living a short time in 
some other places, settled in 1797 on a farm two 
miles south of the present city of Xew Castle. A 
large part of this farm has ever since remained 
in the possession of tlie family and is now (1897) 
owned by Colonel Jackson's father. 

His great-grandmother Jackson's maiden 
name was Janet Stewart. She was a sister of 
John Carlylc Stewart, w'ho laid out the town of 
Xew Castle in 1798, an<l built there a few years 
later the old forge on the Xeshannock Creek, 
where the first bar iron was made in Western 
Pennsylvania. His grandfather, James Jackson, 
was a soldier in the American Army during the 
War of 1812. His mother's maiden name was 
Nancy Mitchell, a native of Indiana County, Pa. 



She was a grandchild of a Scotch- Irish im- 
migrant, who settled in the Susquehanna \al- 
ley, Pennsylvania, where her father, Matthew 
Mitchell, was born in 1785. ( )ur subject's father, 
Sanuiel S. Jackson, born Aug. 15, 181 5, is still 
living, a resident of this county. He has two 
brotiiers. Dr. David P. Jackson of this county, 
and Hon. Edwin W. Jackson, an attorney of 
Harrisburg, Pa.; also a sister, Mary, and two 
half-sisters, .\mia and Jane. 

Colonel Jackson was rearcxl on a farm : was 
educated in the common schools, at Tansy llili 
Select School, and at Darlington Academy; and 
when a boy clerked for a short time in a coun- 
try store. 

He was teaching school near Logan, Hock- 
ing County, ( )hio, the winter before the out- 
break of the Civil War. (_)n the call for soldiers 
in 1861 to defend the government and su])press 
the rebellion, he volunteered and recruited a 
company in that vicinity for the three years' 
service. It became Company II, Sixt\ -third 
Ohio \'oI. Inf., and with the regiment at the end 
of the three years recnlisted as veterans and 
served to the close of the war. He entered the 
army as captain of the company he recruited. 



10 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 

was afterwards promoted in the regiment, and g-unshot wound in tlie face, the l>nllet entering 

served continuously during tlie war from Au- near the right eye, where it yet remains. He is 

gust, 1861. to July, 1865, a term of four years. mentioned in the official report of the battle, 

He was i^resent with his regiment and on duty which is now published in volume 17 of Govern- 

nearlv all the time of its service. excei)t some ment Records of the Rebellion, as "A young 

three months, when disabled by wounds received officer of great promise, who is severely and it 

in battle. After some time spent in cam]i, ]K'r- is feared mortally wounded, \\lio held his C(jni- 

fecting the organization. e(|ui])ping and drilling, pany in perfect order until twd-thirds of his 

his regiment took the field with the Army of the men were killed and wounded." The regiment 

West. His first active service was in Missouri lost 42 per cent, in killed and wounded of the 

under General Pope, including the actions at entire number taken into action, he being among 

New Madrid, taking of Fort Thom])Son, and the the very last wounded. This severe fighting 

later operations that resulted in the capture of was mostly in support of Robinett's Regular 

Island No. 10. with a large number of prisoners. Battery, which was repeatedly charged by the 

His regiment was a part of the force afterward enemy's infantry, and the rebel general was killed 

sent down the Mississippi River, which landed within a few yards of the guns. 

on the Arkansas shore, and began preparations .'Vs soon as he was sufficiently recovered from 

for the investment of Fort I'illow. In the latter his wounds, Colonel Jack.son rejoined his regi- 

part of April, 1862, the regiment was ordered to ment, and in 1863 was with the division of in- 

join Gen. Halleck's army at Pittsburg Landing, fantry which escorted Straight's Cavalry 

and took part in all the operations that made up through tne enemy's lines as far as Tuscumbia, 

the siege of Corinth. It was engaged in the Alabama, when they started on their famous 

actions at Farmington. on both the 8th and 28th raid. The infantry afterwards engaged the ene- 

of May. The regiment was in General Grant's my sufficiently to divert attention from the 

operations in September. 1862, which resulted movement. ( )ur subject subsequently took part 

in the battle of luka. being in Stanley's Division, in the summer of 1863 in the various operations 

which had the principal part of the fighting to do of Gen. Dodge's command in northern Alabama 

in that engagement. and Mississippi, and along the Mississippi River 

In the battle of Corinth. Mississippi. Oct. 3 from Memphis to \'icksburg, during the siege of 

and 4, 1862, the Sixty-third Ohio, under Gen. the latter city. His regiment at this time be- 

Rosecrans" command, gained very distinguished longed to the Sixteenth Army Coqis, and had a 

credit for continued hard fighting in the open full share in all the movements of that organi- 

field long after it had sustained very great loss. zation. After the fall of Vicksburg. he was with 

and the regiment is prominently mentioned in that part of the army which marched overland 

Greelev's History of the Rebellion. In this bat- with Gen. Sherman from the Mississippi River 

tie on the 4th. Colonel Jack.son. then a captain to the relief of Chattanooga and Knoxville. His 

in command of his company, received a severe division was detached from the main column and 



BOOK UI- BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



11 



sent to tlic right to secure the line of railroad at Goldsborough to Raleigh, including those ini- 

Elk River, then much needed to supply the army mediately preceding tiie surrender of Johnston's 

at Chattanooga. In this movement they made. Army. During the operations near Raleigh, 

by crossing the Tennessee River in the face oi Colonel Jackson was sent with a large army 

the enemy and the capturing of Decatur, one of train back to Goldsborough for supplies. He 

the few successful night attacks attempted dur- had command of his own regiment, and other 

ing the war. details reporting to him as guard and escort. 

In Sherman's great Atlanta Campaign of and had entire ciiarge of the train. He inarclied, 

1864, the division in which Colonel Jackson going and coming, about 100 miles through the 

served was at first in the Sixteenth Corps, and enemy's country, had a bridge burned ahead of 

afterwards in the Seventeenth Army Corps, him and with difficulty found passable roads and 

Army of llie Tennessee, commanded by Cen. streams that could l)e safelv forded. lUit the 

McPherson, who was killed before Atlanta. .After war was now nearing to a close, and the most 

this it was commantled by Generals Logan and remarkable feature of the expedition was the 

Howard. Colonel Jackson was constantly with large number of rebel soldiers that came in and 

his regiment during the campaign and engaged surrendered. At night he had (|uite a camp of 

in the battles of Snake Creek Gap, Rcsaca, Dal- these prisoners, who required, however, very 

las, Kenesaw Mountain, and the Siege of Atlan- little guarding, and who got plenty to eat from 

ta. He was with that part of tlie army which the Cnion soldiers, who clieerfully divided ra- 

made the movement south of Atlanta, fought the tions with them. 

battle of Jonesboro, drove the enemy off the After the surrender of Johnston's Army, he 

Macon Railroad, and thus secured the fall of marched to Washington, commanded his regi- 

Atlanta. When the enemy under Gen. Hood ment at the Grand Review, and then conducted 

afterward moved in the rear of the I'nion Army, it to Louisville, Ky., where it remained until or- 

Colonel Jackson took part in the operations to dered mustered out in July, 1865. He then 

develop the extent oi the movement, and also moved the regiment to Camp Dcnnison, near 

to drive the enemy out of Snake Creek Gap and Cincinnati, Ohio, where, under his directions, 

off the railroad, following him to (ialesburg, the survivors of four years' service in the field 

Ala. In this part of the campaign, he was in were discharged, paid off, and sent to their 

command of his regiment, as he had been on homes, 

different occasions before that. Colonel Tack- Colonel Jackson was successively promoted 



son was with .Sherman on the "March to the 
Sea," was engaged in the capture of Savannah, 
and took part in the campaign through the 
Carolinas. He commanded his regiment when 



and commissioned major and lieutenant-colonel, 
and was on recommendation of his brigade, divi- 
sion and corps commanders commissioned by 
the President, Colonel of L'. S. Volunteers by 



it moved from Savannah by way of Hilton Head brevet, for gallant and meritorious services in 
to Beaufort, and also in all the operations from the field during the war. The former conmiand- 



12 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, lAWRENCE COUNTY. 

er of the rut^inient lost a k's in tlic Atlanta Cam- favor of a protective taril¥, and against the pro- 
paii^n, and was never al>le to rejoin his com- posed Morrison and Alills bills. He was one of 
niand. leavint;- Colonel laekson for a loni;- time the members selected to deliver memorial ad- 
its permanent commander in the latter part of dresses in Congress on the life and services of 
its service. It is worth v of notice that there were Gen. John A .Logan. His speeches in favor of 
but a few officers of voknUeers in the army a liberal appropriation for a building for a Na- 
whi> ser\ed as long a term as a commissioned tional Library at Washington, also for a better 
officer as he did. government for Alaska, and against President 
After the war. Colimi'l jacksnn studii'd law, Cleveland's vetoes of ])ension bills, commanded 
was adniitteil to the bar. o])ened an office in Xew attention, and were largely circulated, being 
Castle in .\])ril. i86S. and has since been in ac- republished in newspapers in different parts of 
ti\e practice. He was elected and serve<l a full the countr_\-. His address in the Fiftieth Con- 
term as district attorne\- from 1868 to 1871, an<l gress in favor of restoring Gen. Rosecrans to a 
was county solicitor from 1874 to 1880. He commission in the army, in order that he might 
was a])|)ointed bv the (lovernor of Pennsylvania, be retired on it as a means of support in his old 
in pursuance of an act of the Legislature, a age, was considered worthy of being (pioted at 
mend)er of a commission to codif\' laws, and some length in the American Encyclopedia, 
served on it in 1877 and 1878. .\fter leaving Congress, he resumed the prac- 
He was elected in 1884 as a Republican Mem- tice of law, in which he is now engaged and as 
ber (if Congress of the I'nited States to repre- a lawyer is widely and favorably known. In 
sent the Twentv-fourth I'cnnsylvania Congres- church matters he is a I'nited Presbyterian. The 
sional District. His district was composed of portrait of no citizen of Lawrence County will 
the counties of Beaver. Lawrence and Washing- be received with greater favor than that of 
ton, and he received at the election the largest Colonel Jackson, which we present on a preced- 
majoritv ever given a candidate in it. He was ing page, 
re-elected and served in Congress until Alarch 
4, 1880, when b\- a re-apportionnient of the 
State, his county was attached to another dis- 
trict, and he retired. Tn Congress he was a 

member of the Committee on Public Lands, and LSRAEL \"AN dORDER. a retired farmer 

favored a policy of disposing of (iovernment of Lawrence County, and Perry township, now 

lands principally to actual settlers, and a strict a resident of the city of New Ca.stle, was born in 

Cdustructiiin of grants ])reviously made fur other Perry townshi]), this county, April 7. 1821), and 

purposes. He was especially interested in the is a son of Jacob and Nancy (Elliott) \'an Cior- 

suliject of tariff legislation, taking an active part der. and grandson of Jacob A'an Ciorder, Sr., 

in the hearings befnre the Ways and Means who was born in Holland and came to America 

Connnittee, and in the House j)roceedings, in when a young man. ( )ur subject's grandfather 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



K: 



was taken prisuncr at the Massacre of \\ voniing 
and was to be killed, but bis life was providen- 
tially saved by one of the squaws adopting liini 
as her son. He lived with the Indians some five 
years, and then making bis escape went to Pitts- 
burg, where he followed farming principally as 
a means of livelihood. Later on, he bought a 
small tract of new land in the southern part of 
Lawrence County, antl built a log-house there- 
on, cleared the land, married and raised six 
children: Jacob, I5etsy, Tena, Margaret, Sarah, 
and one whose name is not given. Two daugh- 
ters married two brothers by the name of Allen. 

Jacob \'an border, the oldest child, and only 
son, cared for bis parents, who died at quite an 
advanced age, the father when about eight) 
years old. and the mother when not (|uite so 
old by a few years. The farm was left to our 
subject's father, who added to it until he owned 
250 acres; he also owned a .saw and grist-mill, 
which be built and thereafter operated; he also 
built a large stone house, and the buildings are 
all standing to-tlay and are owned by liis son 
Alvi. He held many oftices of the township, and 
lived to enjoy seventy-eight |)leasant years. His 
wife lived to the age of seventy-five. Their chil- 
dren were: Andrew E.; Israel; Louisa: Almira; 
-Mvi; James; Isabelle; and two more, who died 
young. 

Our subject worked in his father's niills until 
1876, when he bought 96 acres of land in I'erry 
township, and built a new house and barn, and 
carried on general farming until i8yi, wiien he 
had accumulated enough property to enable \\\m 
to retire; leaving the farm in charge of his only 
son and child, Jacob E., Mr. \'an ("lorder came 
to Xew Castle, and bought a house on Countv 



Line Street, which he enlarged and remodeled 
and now rents as a tenement, building another 
lor his own use. 

His first wife was Isabelle Evans, daughter of 
Jonathan Evans; she was born in 1829, and died 
in 1875, leaving one child, Jacob E., who married 
Harriet Morrison, and has a child named N'erna. 
C_)ur subject married as his second wife Miss 
Nancy \'ance, daughter of James \ ance. For 
many years Mr. \ ;in Ciorder supported the Re- 
publican ticket and served as supervisor, asses- 
.sor, and as overseer of the poor; he is now a 
member of the National Prohibition Party. He 
is a member of the Cnited Presbvterian Church. 



DA\Tn P. EL'LKERSOX is a member of 
the firm of Wick & Eulkerson, proprietors of the 
leading restaurant of New Castle, located at No. 
10 Apple Alley. He was born in New Castle July 
8. i86(). and is a son of J. Smith and Jennett 
(Pattisonl l-'ulkerson, grandson of William and 
Margaret (Tidball) Eulkerson, and a great- 
grandson of John and Mary (Alky) Eulkerson. 
John l-'ulkerson was descended from (jerman 
forefathers, and we find liini first as a resident of 
\ irginia. living near Rappaiiannock. Fredericks 
County, where his son William, our subject's 
grandfather, was born. .As he was neither a slave 
owner, nor a sympathizer in that practice which 
permitted the greatest inhumanities and out- 
rages to be performed upon a down-trodden and 
enslaved race, he set out in 1810 witii his wife, 
and traveled threi' Inmdred miles on horseback 
ti) Xew Castle, w liere he secured a farm of 20t» 



14 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

acres, lying between the present farm of the later went into oil speculation. In 1862 he en- 
Hon. Robert j. Fulkerson, whose sketch appears listed in Co. C, of the loth Pa. Reserve, and 
elsewhere in this work, and the city of New served three years, and is to-day a member of 
Castle. He then returned to \'irginia, and with the U. \\ L. Lodge. He was wounded at 
horses and wagons transported his personal Charles City Cross Road, losing liy the fortune 
effects and household furniture, and all the chil- of war the end of one finger, and having his 
dren Init two, who chose to remain in \'irginia. collar-bone and three ribs broken. After being 
The farm was slightly improved, there being a discharged from the hospital, he returned to his 
small log-cabin and a few acres cleared of the regiment, and soon after experienced a sun- 
original timber land, which made a very fertile stroke, from which he has never fully recovered, 
garden plot. So it was with comparatively little When the war was over, and he once more made 
trouble, after reaching the destined spot, to New Castle his home, he indulged in gardening 
install his family, and accustom himself to the some, and also assisted his son in the restaurant, 
strange surroundings; there he reared his family He has a fine home on West Washington Street, 
and with the assistance of his sons cleared the which he bought some years ago and enlarged 
land, lioth he and his good wife were over and beautified. His wife was born Sept. 3, 1836, 
eighty years of age at their death. He was a and died Aug. 23, 1891. His children were: 
member of the Presbyterian Church and helped Agnes M., born h>b. 20, 1858, the wife of Revil- 
to construct the first religious eilifice. There Han T. Wick; David P., our subject; Jennie A., 
were eight children born to him, as follows: born Aug. 28, 1872; and Samuel J. R., born 
Lewis; lohn; Roger; James; Eliza, the wife of Sept. 21, 1877, a designer and engraver. 
Thomas Gillespie; William; Richard; and Our subject at sixteen years of age entered 
Margaret, the wife of William Cox. the Shenango (ilass Factory, and worked four 

William Fulkerson, our subject's grandfather, years as a gatherer, but was compelled to for- 
was born in the old State of \'irginia, and with sake that occupation by reason of an injury to 
his parents came to Xew Castle, and helped to his hand. In 1891, in company with R. T. Wick, 
establish the new home on the frontier. He he bought the Maitland restaurant, and refitted 
inherited a part of the large tract his father it thr(jughout and ])Ut in a fine range; the res- 
bought, and followed farming in New Castle all taurant occupies two floors. It was started as 
his life, dying at the age of seventy-five years. the second restaurant in New Castle, and 
His wife, who was a daughter of David Tidball, although many have come into the inviting field, 
never lived to pass the half-century mark. Their it easily heads the procession with the largest 
children were: Isabella; Harry; Rose; Wilham; and best trade of any that run day and night. 
David; J. Smith; and Margaret. Their patronage is very select, and they take 

Our subject's father was born in New Castle, pride in keeping up their reputation by cater- 

Feb. 19, 1833, and when thirteen years of age ing in the most satisfactory manner to the wants 

became a workman in tlie nail manufactor^•, and of the inner man. 



^^ 




ROBERT AUDLEY BROWNE. D. D. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 17 

Mr. I-'iilkerson married, Oct. 13, i^jz. Miss made; such an ovation as Mr. and Mrs. L5ro\vne 

Anna Dean, daughter of Ilanson Dean of received could not liave been foreseen Sept. 3, 

Brighton, Pa., and has one child, \erna, born 1846, when they were married in Oakland, now 

Oct. 19, 1895. Like every i'ulkerson in the a ward of the city of Pittsburg, 

county, in his political views he countenances no The anniversary occasion also stood in sonic 

candidate for public office who is not of the Re- sense connected with important events both in 

publican complexion. the life of this honored couple and in the his- 
tory of the community during the intervening 
years. These events perhaps few living to-day 
were ]>ermitted to view face to face, but had it 
not been for them, tiie present enjoyable and 

ROP.ERT AUDLRV I'.ROWXI-:. 1), 1). A instructive event could never have been enacted, 

sketch of Mr. I'rowne's life migiit ajjpropriately I'ifty years ago. New Castle was a village of 

conmience with the narration of the event that about 1.600 inhabitants with four or five general 

took i)lace on Sejjt. 3, i8</). The community country stores, doing much business witli the 

of New Castle and vicinity had taken occasion farming people and mostly on the credit and 

r>f "The (iolden Wedding" anniversary of Mr. barter s\ stem; a grist-mill; an oil-mill; a rolling- 

and Mrs. P.rowne. and their first coming to Xew niill and nail factory; and another soon to begin 

Castle and becoming citizens of the then work. The village had canal communications 

borough, to give them a ])ublic recei>tion (the with Lake Erie on the one hand and the Ohio 

parties most concerneil being sent away before- River nn the other. It was a part of the County 

hand on a vacation). The result was truly sur- of .Mercer on its north, while its outlying citi- 

prising. .Many lumdreds honored the occasitju zens on the south were in P>eaver County. The 

with their presence during the afternoon and county of Lawrence was not yet organized, the 

evening; many more could not gain admission, date of its separation being 1849. ^'i^' 'H)rough 

because of the crush, to the church; while others only grew into a city in i86(j, when the city 

sent their iiearty congratulations by mail, niaiii- charter was secured by Mr. P.rowne, as State 

festing by their expressions of regret their dis- Senator at that period for the district. Now, 

appointment at not being able to be present, after the close of a half-century, there are many 

Old and young, contemporaries of former years miles of streets paved with asphalt and vitrified 

and new comers, residents of the town and brick, instead of the mud and dust of the earlier 

country, church people and others, men and period, das lights and electric Hglits have made 

women, all classes and conditions, and all with- encroachnunts on the realm of darkness, that 

out invitation except what was received through formerly prevailed during the night hours, 

the columns of the newspapers of the city, were Trolley cars traverse the streets. The sound of 

present, including "the grand old boys" of the the boatman's horn is heard no more. In its 

war. Speeches were delivered and testimonials stead, however, are tiie whistles of the locomo- 



18 JWOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

tivcs on four great railroad lines, that afford "Abolitionists," anil laughed at for "throwing 
rapid and comfortable communication with all their votes away," or abused as being responsi- 
parts of our wide domaiiis. The fires of numer- ble for the defeat of some favorite candidate if 
ous furnaces help to illumine the night, while the contest became too close. The new pastor 
the smoke of many mills veils the sky by day. under these circum.stances secured a hearing as 
Four little one-story school houses and an inter- he desiretl it; accorded every man his rights, and 
mittent academy have given place to seven exercised his own; prayed for the slaves; spoke 
graded schools with over 3,000 pu])ils and against slavery on fitting occasions; and voted 
seventy-seven teachers, including a high school against it always on election day. There was a 
department. During these fifty years, no mat- growing ferment all the time among the polit- 
ter what changes have taken place from time to ical elements, with the result that by 1856 one 
time, Mr. Drowne has been continuously en- of the old parties was retired from the stage of 
gaged in the work of the ministry of the gospel, national politics, and in i860 the other was 
He had been licensed three and one-half years broken into two irreconcilable sections. Mean- 
earlier, and ordained one vear and nine months while the bloodv pro-slavery invasion of Kansas 
before he took up his Master's work in New and John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry had 
Castle. His education from childhood had startled the nation. A new party had been called 
pointed to the work of the ministrv. and to the front, which, under its leader, Abraham 
whatever else besides ministerial duties came Lincoln, President of the I'nited States, was 
to him, the ministrv was the burden and strong enough to administer for peace and war, 
theme of his life. and to crush the greatest rebellion of modern 

]')Ut his convictions of ])olitical responsibility times, 
as an American citizen led him to oppose Amer- The war at last had hurst. Loyal men all 
ican slavers, and so affected his subsecpient his- over the land were responding to the call to 
tory. These convictions came to him early. He arms. Lawrence County promptly sent 167 
experienced them when the term "Alxjlitionist" men to the front. Three months later, a regi- 
was often investerl with odium and false mean- ment for a three vears' enlistment followed, a 
ings; when fealty to slavery was matle the test large portion of which was made up of Law- 
of loyalty to the L'nion; and to train with pro- rence Countv men. This was the famous 
fessed Union-savers in politics was the path of "Roundhead Regiment" — the looth P. \' . \. 
peace. This was the period when Mr. ]?rowne Dr. Leasure was its commander, and Mr. 
became a pastor in Xew Castle, his two preach- Browne was the chaplain. These were the two 
ing places. Shenango and East ]'>rook, being men who had called the first meeting in New 
some miles out of town. The voters of his flock Castle some years before in ;iiil of the I'ree 
and the citizens generally were all voting the State settlers in Kansas, much of this aid taking- 
Whig and Democratic tickets, except a small, the form of Sharp's rifles for defence against 
but growing number, who were Ijranded as border rufifians. The enlistment of the new 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



\\\ 



regiment dated from August 29. The chaplain 
was given leave of absence by bis congregation 
for one year, by which time it was tlien thought 
the rebelhon would be suppressed. How the loval 
expectations of the Xortli were disappt)inted! 
W'lien the year was completed, the outlook was 
indeed disheartening, for the L'nion Arinv had 
just suffered one of its greatest defeats in the 
Second Battle of Hull Run. The chaplain's 
leave, in consequence of that defeat, was length- 
ened from twelve to twenty-eight months. The 
term of service of those twenty-eight months was 
truly a remarkable one. 

The regiment had a wonderful experience of 
wide and varied service, transportation bv rail- 
road and by ocean and river navigation for long 
distances, to Xewport News, South Carolina, to 
James Island in the first siege of Charleston, to 
Newport News again, to Acquia Creek, to 
Fredericksburg, to the Rapidan. to Hull Run, to 
South Mountain, to Antietam. back again to 
Fredericksburg, to Haltimore. thence to Lexing- 
ton, Ky., and Camp Dick Robinson, to \'icks- 
burg and Jackson. Miss., back to Kentucky, 
and thence across inland mountain ridges and 
rivers through Cumberland (lap to Kiioxviile, 
Tenn., where, after repulsing Longstreet's forces 
and helping to secure Grant's great vict<jrv at 
Chattanooga, the regiment re-enlisted in the 
dead of winter, and having received their vet- 
eran furloughs marched North again over that 
rugged country and in that fearful winter to the 
railroad connections at Xicholasville, Kv. It 
was a great feature of Chaplain Browne's his- 
tory to have shared in most of these hardships 
and dangers, by field and flood, facing disease 
and battle, being a member of the column on 



the march, and of the host in bivouac or camp, 
through summer's heat and winter's cold. In 
Beaufort, South Carolina, he was seized with 
spotted fever, from which he recovered with a 
hardened liver. The chaplain's presence was a 
marked feature of the regimental life. The 
nightly Psalm of Praise at his services often 
was carried on the night breezes to li.steners in 
the enemy's lines. 

Mr. Browne ajiplicd for and received his dis- 
charge in Eastern Tennessee. It came to him 
after the siege of Knoxville and the repulse of 
Longstreet. He reached his home from Pdaine's 
Cross Roads, the point of starting, hv the cir- 
cuitous route of Chattenooga and Stevenson, 
Alabama. It was during the wild winter storm 
of that sea.son. that had indicted itself on all the 
country from Alabama to the pole, and tiirough 
wliich his recent comrades were on the march 
across the mountains and rivers of Eastern Ten- 
nessee and Kentucky. After a journey of near- 
ly a thousand miles, he arrived at his home in 
the middle of January. 1S64. and immediately 
resumed his pastoral duties. He found himself 
.soon after his return beset and crowded from 
many points with invitations and appointments, 
and was expected to do a thousand and one in- 
compatible and impossible things. I'nder such 
a strain, and because of exposure past and now 
undergone in liis pastoral duties in the winter 
when rest was needed, his health broke down. 
It was clearly beyond his reach to accom])lish 
all that was at once ex])ected of \\\m ])ul)lic]y 
and privately, socially and professionallv. At 
the time of his discharge he had engaged to 
write a history of the regiment till tliat date. It 
has not yet been accomplished. 



20 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Other events, however, should be mentioned as a churcli with thirty-two members. The pas- 
as included in the 15 years which preceded Mr. tor was relieved of the pastoral charge of his 
Browne's army life. These were events of his East Brook congregation which had claimed a 
personal ministerial and pastoral work on which half of his time to devote that half to New Cas- 
he entered upon his first arrival in New Castle tie. He resuscitated and for one year took 
in 1846. Although he resided in the town, his charge of the New Castle Academy. 
people were mostly in the country, with two In 1850 he organized the New Wilmington 
out-of-town places of preaching. The parish Church. In 1852 he organized "The Harbor" 
was twelve miles long and twelve miles wide. Church, and ministered to it for one year. He 
It included the two congregations of East was still ministering to the Shenango flock. 
Brook and .Shenango. The labor involved was C)idy half of his time was as yet taken up by 
great. It required travel and included visiting New Castle. It was a day of small things. Mr. 
the families pastorally and socially, with minis- Browne's congregation now (1897) numbers 
trations to the sick, catechizing, preaching in almost three hundred souls. Eight years ago, a 
school houses at odd times, and in general and second congregation was organized with ninety- 
special the usual ministerial duties of a country three dismissals from the parent Ijodv, and this 
pastor. The country, too. liy this time was re- ofifshoot, planted in the eastern part of the city, 
quiring new organizations at new points, has now grown to be a prosperous church <>f 
adjusted to the growth of the population. New four hundred members. The poinilation of the 
Castle and New Wilmington were two of these, citv is about 22,000. 

and "The Harbor" was a third. All these de- The second year after Mr. Browne's return 

manded for a time the pastor's fostering care from the army he was invited to accept a nom- 

and extra service of preaching on his part to ination for the State Senate. The invitation was 

prepare the way for new laborers yet to be made unanimous by his fellow Republicans of 

called. And all this was in the first instance the county. The nomination was confirmed by 

while he yet was in connection with the other the conferees, and the result was his election, 

two congregations which were his special and his discharging the duties of Senator for 

charge. the sessions of 1866, 1867 and 1868, sitting for 

The New Castle congregation was organized the district comprising Lawrence, I'.utler and 

Dec. 25, 1849. The church edifice was built by .'Armstrong counties. The honor thus conferred 

Joseph Kissick, Robert Cochran, George Hen- was to him a grateful recognition of his ad- 

derson, Capt. James Leslie, Samuel F. Cooke, vanced convictions of years before, which had 

■ and a few others. The corner-stone was laid on now become the policy of the State and Nation. 

a bleak day in May, 1849. 't is the building in His action, votes and speeches on record were 

which the golden anniversary was held. At the in accordance with the just expectations of his 

outset Mr. Browne had twelve church members constituents, 

in the town. The congregation was organized Before his third session in the Senate com- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 21 

menced, he was induced to accept tlie presi- were mostly born in Tittsburg: but Robert Aiid- 
dency of Westminster College, Xew Wilming- ley, their third son, was born in Steubenville, 
ton. This required his resignation of his con- Dec. 3, 1821, during a two years sojourn of tlie 
gregation and removal to the latter place, family in that place. From his infancy he was 
After three years in this connection he resigned reared in Pittsburg under the ministry of Dr. 
it, and filled temporary appointments in Cleve- Joseph Kerr and his elocjuent son and succes- 
land, Leavenworth, and Titusville, residing one sor, Joseph Reynolds Kerr. His education was 
year in the latter place, which was the only year in its schools, including his college course in the 
in tifty in which he had not continued to be a Western University under the presidency of 
citizen of the county of Lawrence. Rev. J. W. Rev. Robert Bruce, D.D., a verv learned grad- 
Bain had succeeded him as pastor of his Xew uate of the University of Edinburgh. Here also 
Castle congregation, but he having resigned, Mr. he had for instructors Hon. Thomas Mellon and 
Browne was recalled by the congregation, and Rev. Alexander Young, D.D., LL.D., men 
in October, 1873. entered upon his second pas- who acquired distinction and did honor to West- 
toral term. This continues till this time. ern University, also their Alma Mater, and here 
In 1875, upon the repeal of the Local Option he received his degree of A. B. in 1840. In the 
Law of the State, he was made the standard- Allegheny Theological Seminary he had for in- 
bearer of the Prohibition Party as gubernatorial structors the eminent Dr. John T. Pressley and 
candidate. He received a vacation of two the refined and learned Dr. Jas. L. Dinwiddle, 
months from his congregation, during which In the seminary he was of the class of 1844, ''I't 
period he made a very notable canvass of the was licensed to |)reach the gospel March 29, 
State. 1^43- At the time of the great fire of Pittsburg, 
His action in this candidacy was in harmony A|)ril 10, 1845, '1*^ ^^'^s engaged in his second 
with his life-long convictions. These have logic- year as stated supply in the Second Associate 
ally allied him to every cause of reform, the Reformed congregation. The church was to- 
maintenance of government, law and order and tally destroyed by tiie tire. Wx. Browne ob- 
the preservation of the Christianit\- of the insti- tained the first collections from aljroad to 
tutions of State and Nation against all assailants, secure their second place of worship, after which 
whether born on the soil or importations from he was free to release himself from his late in- 
foreign lands. formal pastoral relations. A year later he began 

Mr. Browne's parents, David Lyons Browne his settled pastorate at Xew Castle, 

and Sarah (Miller) Browne, each born in County Mr. J'.ruwne was born, baptized, reared 

Tyrone, Ireland, embarked for America in 1812, licensed and ordained in the Associate Reformed 

being with their parental families emigrants to Presbyterian, n(jw the Ijiited Presbyterian 

America. They were respectively eighteen and Church. He is descended by blood and church 

seventeen years of age. At their marriage in connection from the Covenanters of the West of 

1817 they became Pitt.sburgers. Their children Scotland. Tradition points to a noble ancestor 



22 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



in the pcrbtjo of that Capt, juhn Urownc men- JAMES Al. MAYNE, the subject of this 
tioned by the Ettrick Shepherd in his tale, "The sketch, is well known among the enterprising- 
Brownie of Bodsbeck," who was wounded by a and progressive citizens of New Castle, as a 
sabre stroke at the Battle of Botliwell Bridge, large owner in real estate and as a man of 
June 22. 1679. The Millers, his mother's family, exceptional business acumen. He was born in 
were of kindred Scottish Presbyterian stock. Shcnango township, Lawrence Co., Pa., July 16, 
Of this same stock also were Mrs. Browne's 1832, and is a son of William and Jane (McKee) 
ancestors, on the one side, namely, that of her Mayne, and a grandson of William and Mary 
niiither, Rebecca Johnston, while her father, (Whan) Mayne. Our subject's grandfather im- 
Williani luchljaum, was Prussian, as his name migrated to this country from the north of Ire- 
indicates; he for seventy years from his lioyhood land when a voung man. He and his wife, both 
in Pittsburg stood abreast of the forenuist citi- of whom lived to enjoy a beautiful old age, 



zens of that great growing community. 



reared a family of five children, as follows: 



Air. Browne is a member of the Regimental Samuel; Jane; William, Jr.; Betsy; Polly; John; 

Association of the looth P. \ . I., an honorary and Margaret. 

nicml)er of Post lOO of the ( i. A. R., and a com- William Mayne, Jr., settled in Lawrence 

panion of the Military Onler of the Loyal Legion County, where he bought a tract of new land. 



of the Cnited States — the latter honor conferred 
for "having been specially distinguished for 
faithful services in maintaining and defend- 
ing the honor, integrity and supremacy of the 



built a log-house, and clearc<l about fifteen acres 
of the very best farming land, on which he fol- 
lowed the honorable pursuits of agriculture all 
his life, living at the age of seventv-three. His 



United States of Anieric: 



In 1863 his Alma wife, who lived to the age of thirt\-five, was a 



Mater conferred on him the degree of D.L). He daughter of James McKee. They were both 
was Moderator of the General Assembly of the members in good standing of the United Pres- 
byterian Church. Our subject's father was a 
\\ hig, and then a Republican, serving in various 
offices in the town. Their children were: John; 
James; Charles; William; Calvin; and Margaret, 
who died at the age of four years. All the I)oys 
are living. 

James M. Mayne, after spending the years of 
his vouth in New Castle, where he secured an 



I'nited Presbyterian Church in the year i86g. 

There are few citizens of Lawrence County 
so prominent, so well known, and so univer- 
sally respected as is Dr. Browne. Three dis- 
tinct lift'-phases have been inrlu(k-il in his career, 
naniel\-, that of pastor, army cha|)lain. and jxili- 
tician and legislator. In all his diversified rela- 
tions he has borne himself fittingly and with the 



dignitv re(|uisite to the station. His friends are education, went to Cleveland, Ohio, and learned 

legion, and are to be found in all the \v;dks of the car])enter's trade, and from 1856 to i8(xd was 

life. i'"e\\ ])ortraits in this volume will meet an in Morris, Grundy Co., 111., engaged in contract- 

e(|ual amount of interest as his, which we have ing. In 1866, he rcturnetl to New Castle, and 

])!aced on a precetling page. carried on contracting a number of years, and, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAU'REXCE COL'XTV. 



23 



besides building himself a number of houses, 
including his present dwelling-house, built the 
First National Bank building and the Opera 
House in 1868, besides many other structures 
now included among the best buildings of the 
city. In 1870. he became interested with J. D. 
Bryson in the milling industry, and built and 
furnished the first roller process mill in this part 
of the country. From that time until 1882, when 
the mill burned down, they kept developing their 
business, and increasing their output of fine 
flour: they incorporated under the name of 
"I^well Milling Co.," with D. \V. Kennedy as 
president, and re-built the mill, carrying on a 
flourishing business until 1890, when Mr. Mayne 
sold his interest to D. W. Kennedy. .\Ir. Mayne 
built a large warehouse on Croton .\venue. 
where he dealt in feed, hay. straw, and grain until 
1893. when he sold out. He still owns four stores 
on Croton Avenue. He became a stockholder of 
the Big Meadows Gas Co., and was secretary of 
it until 1896, when he sold his interest an<l re- 
tired from active business. 

In 1855, our subject married Hannah M. 
Johnston, daughter of James Johnston. She 
died in 1877. aged forty-two years, leaving five 
children, as follows: Kate, the wife of J. M. 
McMillin; Rose McKee. the wife of Seth Mar- 
shall: Nettie B.. wife of Robert Whitla. a 
plumber by trade: Nellie D. (twin of Nettie B.). 
and Bessie, who lives at home with their father. 
Mr. Mayne married as his second wife Esther 
Shield, daughter of James Shield. Our subject 
is a Republican, and has served on the city 
council and in tlie select council. He is a mem- 
ber of the Royal Templars of Temperance, and 
well connected in the Presbvterian Church. 



JOHN C. FULKERSON. a retired and 
highly honored citizen of New Castle, was bom 
in the above town, .\ugust 29, 1814, and is a son 
of James and Martha (Johnson) Fulkerson, and 
a grandson of John and Mary (Alky) Fulkerson. 

John Fulkerson was of German descent, and 
the earliest record has him a resident of \'irginia. 
living near Rappaliannock. Fredericks County, 
where our subject's father was bom. In 1810, 
John Fulkerson and his wife came to the town 
of New Castle in search of a desirable farm on 
which to locate, traveling three hundred miles 
on horseback to reach this locality. Mr. Fulker- 
son was neither a slave-owner nor a believer in 
the iniquitous practice, and so his coming to this 
part of Pennsylvania was because he desired to 
settle in a new country, where slavery had no 
foot-hold. He secured a farm of 200 acres, ad- 
joining New Castle, and returned to Virginia, 
and with horses and wagons brought his wordly 
effects and children, with the exception of two, 
who chose to remain in their old home. The 
farm had some few improvements, there being a 
small log-house or cabin, and a few acres had 
been cleared by the former occupant by burning, 
and were consequently very fertile. So it was 
with little difficulty he installed his Household in 
the new home, and set about acquiring a com- 
petence and securing a livelihood; there he 
reared his family, and with the assistance of his 
sons cleared the taml. Both lie and his wife 
lived to exceed eighty years of age. He was an 
attendant of the Presbyterian Church, and 
helped to constmct the first church building. 
There were eight children born to our subject's 
grandparents, as follows: Lewis: John: Roger: 
Tames: Eliza, the wife of Thomas Gilespie: 



24 BOOK OF BfOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

William; Richard; and Margaret Ann. the wife John C. I-'ulkerson at eighteen years of age 

of William Cox. left the farm to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, 

James., l)eing one of the oldest of the children served three years' apprenticeship, and worked 

who came to Pennsylvania, was of valuable two years as a journeyman. He then started in 

assistance to his father in clearing the farm, antl business for himself in New Castle, in a small 

in keeping the wild animals, that abounded shop on the property, where Mrs. Sankey now 

thereabouts, from molesting their live stock, resides, on West Washington Street. He 

For his own farm he bought a tract of 200 acres. became a very skilled workman, and made 

adjoining his father's property, which farm a specialty of fine work in the line of 

Robert T- and Lewis Fulkerson. our subject's house furniture; this work he followed un- 

brothers, owned later on. and set about in earn- til 1861, and many of the elegant pieces of 

est to support himself and to accumulate prop- cabinet-work, prized by the leading families of 

try; he was a very hard worker, and made the the town, were wrought by his hand, 

work of clearing as easy as it was possible by Machinery at length invaded the domain of his 

burning what would be considered very valuable trade, and the resulting competition and low 

lumber nowadays, but which was considered in prices was too much for our subject, so he 

the way of the growing crops then. His brother turned his attention to carpentry work, which he 

went to the War of 1812, and James started with has followed for some twenty years. He was 

him. but met with a fall, which left him a cripple then appointed to take charge of the county and 

in his left arm the remainder of his life. He was city bridges, and has 1)een in active life until 

a i)rominent man among the town's citizens, and 1S97, when he retired; he resides in a house he 

active in matters of public interest, but never built in 1847. ^""-l besides owning one adjoining, 

held an office. He died at the age of seventy- which he built in 1836, he owns another tene- 

nine. In the battle of life he ever looked on the ment property in a different part of the town, 

bright side, was of a cheery disposition and never besides a number of lots. Our subject was a 

down-hearted; in his immediate surroundings he stanch Whig, but is now a Republican. 

was a kind and loving husband and father. His March 24, 1836, he was joined in holy wedlock 

wife. wh(j was a daughter of John Johnson, died with Miss Elizabeth Gibson, daughter of William 

at the age of seventy-nine, having borne him Gibson; she was born March 19, 181 5, and died 

eight children, namely: John C. the subject of April 12. 1839, leaving one son — James G.. born 

this notice; Lewis, a farmer of New Castle; Mar- March I, 1839, 3- dealer in coal of New Castle, 

garet. deceased, formerly the wife of J. R. r)n Nov. 26, 1839, Mr. Fulkerson united his for- 

Squires; Eliza, now deceased, married William tunes with Miss Eliza Houk, daughter of John 

C. Hoffman; Robert J., whose sketch ajipears Houk. She was born May 1 1. 1814, in Shenango 

elsewhere; Jane, deceased, the wife of J. Houk; township, this county. They have eight children: 

Matilda, the wife of William Coplin; and James, Rosaline, born September 7, 1840, died May 3, 

who resides in the State of Iowa. 1844; John C, Jr., born July 4, 1842, died Dec. 




DR. JOSEPH L. COOPER. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



25, 1872; America \'.. horn ^[a\• 3. 1844, died 
Aupf. 14, 1845; Aiiniala C, born Nov. 24, 1848, 
married M. C. Rose of New Castle, and ha<l 
three children — Clara, Ralph, and Lenora: Lcn- 
ora C, horn June 20. 1849, married R. I'. 
Pomeroy of W'ilminjjton. and has had four oliil- 
dren — Mary C, Joim. and Diana and Lydia 
(twins); Sewell X., i)orn Oct. 25, 1855. is a black- 
smith of Xew Castle; Ceylon W., born Jan. 25, 
1859, is a machinist of \c\v Castle. 



DR. JOSPEH L. COOPER, one of the lead- 
ing and representative physicians of the city of 
New Castle, Pa., was born in Taylor to\vnshi]>, 
I^wrence Co., Pa., two miles south of the city 
of New Castle, l-'eh. 13. 1861. He is a son of 
Robert L. Coo])er. {grandson of James Cooper, 
and great-grandson of Robert Cooper, who was 
born in County Down, Ireland, and came to this 
country about the year 1790, settling in Alle- 
gheny County, Pa., where he reared his family, 
and cared for their wants. James Cooper was 
horn in Allegheny County, in 1796. and in 1843 
moved to Lawrence County, where he died in 
1861. He married Elizabeth McLester, who 
died at the age of seventy-si.x, and they became 
the parents of seven children, three hoys and 
four girls. 

Our subject's father, Robert Cooper, was the 
second son in order of birth, and first saw the 
light of day in 1823. He came with his parents 
to Lawrence County, where he and his brother 
David bought a farm on Sheep Hill, just south 
(jf New Castle, paying $10 per acre for the tract 



of 100 acres. It was not long before they ascer- 
tained that they had stumbled upon a very 
valuable piece of property, for underlying the 
whole farm is a bed of superior limestone of the 
best quality: up to the present time only about 
fifty acres have been worked and (|uarried. leav- 
ing a large fortune yet to be taken from the 
earth's bowels. The farm still remains in the 
hands of the Cooper family. Robert Cooper 
married Xancy A. Jackson, who with the follow- 
ing children survived him at his deatli in 1892: 
James H. ; Elizabeth (Campbell); Leander; Dr. 
Joseph L., our subject; Charles O.; Mary (Cald- 
well); Maud (Davis); and Dr. Edwin S. 

Dr. Joseph L. Cooper received a basis for 
advanced educational studies in the schools of 
New Castle, and finished his academic education 
in the State Xormal ScJiool at Edinboro, Pa., 
and in drove City Academy. In 1881, he became 
a medical student under Dr. Mont. Linville of 
Xew Castle, in whose office he remained two 
years; he then entered the Jefferson Medical Col- 
lege of Philadelphia, and graduated in the Class 
of 1884. He immediately began to practice and 
located for one year at Xew Springfield, Ohio, 
and then came to New Castle, where he has 
since practiced and established himself as one of 
the leading physicians and surgeons of the city. 

Dr. Joseph L. Cooper married Miss Adella 
Hoover in 1887; she is a daughter of Epliraini 
Hoover of Xew Castle. Dr. Edwin S. Cooper is 
associated with his brother, our subject. He 
received his academic course at Grove City 
Academy, and studied medicine with his brother 
three years, completing his studies at W. U. of 
P., graduating in the class of 1896. Dr. Joseph 
L. Cooper is a member of the Lawrence County 



28 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



Medical Association, and was president of the 
same in 1896. He is one of the best surgeons in 
\\'estern rcnnsylvania, and his medical i)ractice 
has grown very extensive, depending u]>nn a 
reputation for skill and professional daring that 
is far above the ordinary. ( )ne case of a little 
girl, who was severely burned to such a degree 
that skin-grafting offered the only chance of 
saving her life, and restoring her to perfect 
health, was imdertaken b)- our subject, wlm. 
after grafting manv luuidred pieces of skin, 
effected a complete cure, and added a world- 
renowned cure to the annals of modern medical 
science. He has also at the present writing a 
remarka1)le case of the same nature, which is 
dailv vielding to this method of artificial skin- 
growing, although the art is by no means a new- 
one. It was lielieved for a long time to be un- 
successful. 

We have ever enforced the jxiint that our por- 
trait subjects should stand among the first in 
their several callings and professions, and so it 
is with considerable ])ride we present Dr. 
Cooper's portrait, an e.xcellent likeness of a gen- 
tleman, who excels in his chosen profession and 
calling; in life. 



REVILLIAN T. WICK, of the f^rm of Wick 
& Fulkerson, leading restauranteurs of New- 
Castle, was ])orn in Piutler County, Pa.. ( )ct. 30. 
1858. and is a son of Jeremiah C. and h'llen J. 
(Coovert) Wick, grandson of James and Mar- 
garet (McDonald) Wick, and great-grandson of 
J(.)hn Wick, who came originally from New Jer- 
sey to ISutler Countv, where he bought a large 



tract of new and uncultivated land, which kept 
him busy for many years in clearing, living in 
the meanwhile in a log-house, which in the 
usual pioneer fashion he had erected at the first. 
He lived to the good old age of ninety years, 
was twice married, and reared a large family, but 
had onlv two boys by the tirst marriage — J(_)hn 
and James. 

( )iu- subject's grandfather. James Wick, was 
born in New Jerse\' and assisted his father in 
clearing tlie farm, and served in the War of 181 2, 
being stationed at l-'ort Erie. When he com- 
nu-nced fanning for himself, he secured a farm 
near C/enterville. lUuler Co.. which was unim- 
proved, and almost entirely in tindier; he first 
built a log-house, and then a frame house, when 
lumber l)ccame more plentifid. He also owned 
a grist-mill at Harlansburg. His death to*>k 
l)lace when he was aged eighty-two years; his 
wife passed over the River of Death into life 
eternal at the age of eighty. Their union was 
fruitful of the following children; John W.; 
James V.\ Eliza; Eli; Maria: Julian; Mary; Jere- 
miah C. ; James M.; Sarah E. ; and Margaret. 

Jeremiah C. Wick assisted his father on the 
farm until he attained the years of manhood, 
when he went to Brady's P.end, Armstrong 
Countv. and labored as ]niddler in the iron 
works for a few years, then after clerking in a 
grocery store for a short period he ran one on 
his own account si.x years in P)uena Vista, But- 
ler County, and an equal space of time in Mar- 
tinsburg. thie same county. In 1868. he came to 
New Castle, and worked as puddler a few years, 
and for the last few years has been actively en- 
gaged in the insurance business, representing 
the following companies: Metropolitan, Pennsyl 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWREXCE COUNTY. 29 

vania Mutual, ami I'mdeiUial. In i.S</d, he built be found in the rausre, which cost $150. That 

for his (iaujjjhter Eva tlie residence at \o. 120 their restaurant at Xo. 10 Apple Alley lias been 

( Irant Avenue, where he has lived since; before a success is evidenced from the fact that they 

then lie lived in another house ou (jraut Avenue. have the largest and most select patronage in the 

which he had had erected. He married l-lilen j. cit\-, and have built up an enviable reputation 

Coovert, daughter of Sanuiel Coovert. and to for short-order meals. 

them were born six children, as fcjllows: I'erdi- Mr. Wick married .\gnes Pattison, who was 
nand, whii died at the age of two years: Revillian born Feb. io. 1858. and was a daughter of J. 
T., our subject : Annie Melis.sa married William Smith Fulkerson, grandaughter of William 
McKee; Teresa Evelyn is a bookkeeper: Lillie Fulkerson, and great-granddaughter of John 
lane died at the age of fifteen years: Addie Zilla I-'ulkerson, a native of \'irginia, who came to 
married t'harles (deisner of Xew Castle. ( )ur this county. Mrs. Wick is a sister of our sub- 
subject's father is a stanch l\ei)ui)lican. and an ject's i)artner. David 1'. I'ulkerson. Mr. and 
advocate of temperance. He is a nuMuber of Mrs. Wick live in a tine home, located at Xo. 78 
the M. E. Church and of the .\. ( ). I". W. Elm Street, built by himself in 1892. Politically, 
After finishing his schooling, Revillian T. .Mr. Wick is a Republican. He is a member of 
Wick began clerking for I-'rauk Tinswaite. ilie Junior ( )rder of the Lniled American Me- 
remaining with him aboiu one year. Hower chauics and Woodmen of the World. 
Hrothers having i)urchased the business of Mr. 
Tinswaite. Mr. Wick continued with them until 
they discontinued the business. He ne.xt en- 
gaged with j. Adam Hainer, remaining some- 
what over one year. His next engagement was TllO.M.NS \' . M()RldlEA]). a member of 
with W. S. Emery, with whom he remained from the firm of Knox & .Morehead, the leading in- 
1876 to 1 881. That year he formed a partner- surance agency of the cit\ of .\cw Castle, ofifice 
ship with .\. S. Pattison in the grocery trade, and located in the Pearson building, was born in the 
after one year they dissolved partnership and citv of his present residence Oct. 31, 1863. 
Mr. \\ick accepted a |>osition as clerk with ( )ur subject's great-grandfather, William 
W. S. Emery, remaining till Mr. Emerv's death. Morehead, came from Westiuoreland Co., Pa., 
The store being purchased by Messrs. Kay and and settled on a farm between Xew Castle and 
Wilkinson, Mr. Wick was witii them one vear. Mahoninglown, where he S])ent his ren'iaining 
Sept. 2, i8yi, in company with David P. bulker- years in rural content. His son James was one 
son, under the firm name of \\'ick & Fulkerson, of the family which he brought with him. 
he bought out the Maitland restaurant, and put William Morehead died at the age of seventy- 
in new furniture and utensils, imparting a clean, two years, preceding his wife, Elizabeth P.arnett, 
fresh appearance to the place, and furnishing it several years. Seven daughters and three sons 
w ith a costly e<|uipment, a sample of whicii may were born to tiieni. James Morehead married 



30 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WHENCE COUNTY. 



CatluTinc Henderson, a native of Arnistrons" 
Co., I'a.. and to them were given nine children, 
as follows: William: Joseijh : Samuel: John; 
Hugh H.: Selinda (]\IcClear\ ); James: Eliza- 
lieth (McKinley): and Harvey. James More- 
head lived to the age of eighty-two years, and 
his wife to the age of sixty-six. In their relig- 
ious beliefs and attachments, they strongly 
favored the Presbvterian Church. ]\lr. More- 
head was a supporter of the Whig party. He 
lived on the homestead between Xew Castle 
and Mahoningtown, and carried on pursuits 
which were of an agricultmal natiue. 

Hugh H. Tvlorehead, our subject's father, was 
born on the old homestead July 8. 1814. He 
received a district school education and at the 
age of seventeen took up the trade of brick lay- 
ing and plastering, and followed it a number of 
years, relinquishing it at last to engage with his 
brother Samuel in the leather business. They 
kept a store in New Castle until about the year 
1864, drawing a large patronage their way dur- 
ing that time and being very successful finan- 
cially: in that year the business was closed out, 
and since then our subject's father has lived a 
rather retired life. He was a Whig and is now 
a supporter of Republican candidates and Re- 
publican principles. He was joined at the altar, 
Jan. 26, 1841, to Rachel Falls, daughter of 
Thomas and Sarah (\\'ilson) Falls of New Cas- 
tle, and their union has resulted in the following 
family of children: Maria M. (Harbison); Sarah 
C. (Cunningham); Ellen 11. (Bard); Eva (Long); 
Mary (White); Fannie, deceased; Lizzie D.; and 
Thomas V . They accept the teachings and pre- 
cepts of the Presbyterian Church as their rule 
of life. 



Our subject attended the High School of New 
Castle, finishing his education there, and then 
from 1876 to 1878 he was a clerk in W. H. Mc- 
Candless' store. In 1880, he began to clerk for 
the insurance firm of Harbison &' Knox, and 
reiuained with them in that capacity until 1896, 
acquitting himself honorably and usefully in 
every department of his work. In 1896 he se- 
cured the interests of Mr. Harl)ison, and the 
firm is now vvidel\- known as Knox & More- 
head. They dc.) the largest business in the insur- 
ance line of an\- firm in the city, representing as 
manv as sixteen different companies. Mr. 
Morehead may be always counted on to help in 
furthering the election of l\eptiblican candidates 
and ])assage of Republican measures; although 
he is an active worker and extremely popular 
he has never accepted any office. 

Mr. Morehead married Dorothy Taggart, 
daughter of John S. and Nancy J. Taggart, and 
thev have two children — Rachel and Dorothv. 



H( )N. DAVID W. AIKEN, one of Lawrence 
Countv's most representative men, and a leading 
agriculturist and fruit dealer of Shenango town- 
ship, was born in Wayne township. Lawrence 
County, Sept. 11, 1837. He is an eminent citi- 
zen of Shenango townshij), being both a man of 
large a.gricultural interests, and a man endowed 
with the qualities that make a successful 
legislator. 

He is a descendant of David Aiken, and traces 
his ancestrv back to his grandfather, William 



BOOK OF BIOGKAPfirES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 31 

Aiken, jr., and to liis great-jjrandfatlicr. William county convention that was held in the county. 

Aiken. The latter was horn in Ireland, where The wife of Mr. Aiken was Martha \'ance. 

he passed the early years of manhood until he dausj^^hter of lames \ ance of Slippery Rock 

was attracted hy the prospects in America, townshijj, and she was born in 1807, and passed 

whither he came, hrinpinfj his family, one of away in 1883. Their children were: Martha; 

whom was William, jr., and settliiifj near Ralti- Dorothy (\'an Horn): William X.: lames W., 

more, Md. .\fter a jieritid of years, he removed who fell at the battle of I'etersburij in defense 

to Westmoreland County. I'a.. which was the of the I'nion: David W.; Isaiah W.. who also 

place of his death. served in the Federal .\rniv. and \vlu> died from 

William Aiken, jr., the ijrandfather, removed disease he contracted there; William H.; Sarah 
from Pennsylvania to St. Clairsville. Ohio, and V.. (Adams), deceased; Mary j. (Palmer), de- 
there he was united in niarriajjc to Miss Doro- ceased; Margaret M. (Walton), deceased; and 
thv Xewell. The worthy couple was blessed Isabella T., deceased. The family attended the 
with the birth of triplets, whom lhe\- named L'tiittd Presbyterian C'liurch. where David 
David, William and Dorothy. In 1801, William .\iken. the father, took an active i)art in church 
Aiken, Jr., returned to Peiuisylvania, making affairs, and acted as trustee for many years, 
his home in Wayne townshiji, at that time a part kecjiing up his interest until his death, which 
of IJeaver County, but now included in Law- occurred March i, i86o. He was a colonel in 
rence County. In 1821, some time after the the State militia and was commonly known as 
death of his wife, he married Miss Margaret Col. David .Aiken. 

Clark, and they lived ha])iiily together until her lion. David W. Aiken, whose hi.story is 

death in 1845. Inunediately after his settlement chronicled here, was the lifth chiUl of David and 

in Wayne township, Mr. Aiken became inter- Mary (\ance) Aiken, and came with the family 

ested in the milling business, and built a carding- from Wayne to Shenango township, where he 

mill and also a .saw-mill and grist-mill, lieing passed the early years of his life, and at matur- 

engaged in this line of work until his death at ity engaged in farming. In 1861. he enlisted for 

the age of eighty-three years. a period of three months in Co. I-", I2th Keg. 

David Aiken, father of the Hon. Davi<l W. I'a. \ol. Inf., and in 1864 he re-enlisled in Co. I, 

Aiken, was born during the time of the family 6th P>attalion Pa. Heavy Art., where he was al- 

residence in Ohio, in iScxi. He remained in most inuucdiately ])romot«l from his position as 

Wayne township, where his father had located private to the rank of fourth sergeant, which 

until 1845. when he obtained possession of a promotion was followed in a short lime by an- 

tract of land in Shenango township, this county, other to tlie rank of second lieutenant, which 

267 acres in extent, and there he lived and office he held until he was nuistered oiU June 

farmed until his death. He was a Whig, and 16, 1865. 

during his life-time served as assessor, and also In 1869, Mr. Aiken was married to Mar\- A. 

as school director; he was a delegate to the first ^'oung. daughter of James and Margaret (Scott) 



33 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Young of Perry township, and tdok up his rcsi- J< >HX I'^LDER. one of the Ijest-posteil men 

dence on the homestead, a half nf wliieh had in the early history of Lawrence County, now 

been apportioned to him from his father's es- living in honored retirement in the city of New 

tate. I-lere he has lived since that time, devot- Castle, was horn at .Slipiiery Kock, this couiUy, 

ing himself to farming and fruit-raising, in Seiit. 2, 1820, and is a son «if \\'illiam and 

which he has attained a satisfactory degree of Dorcas (Wilkin) h'lder. and gran<lsiin of John 

success, for during the season of 1897, the crop Elder, who was horn in 1755 iu the northern 

from his a])].ile trees amounted to over 1,000 part of Ireland, and was a son of 1 honias Elder, 

bushels. Mr. Aiken's family consists of: ?ilartha a Scotchman. 

r>., who married I. r.arckkn' (nbson; J. I'rank ; John l-dder, our subject's grandfather, came 
Dora M.: and Marv E., and thev attend the to the Cnited .States in 1802, and settled in Slip- 
United Presbvterian Church. pery Rock, now Scott towushi]), this county, and 
Mr. Aiken jxissesses the keen instinct of a bought a farm, now owned by the McCracken 
politician, and, with the happy faculty that char- estate, where he lived "until his death at the a.ge 
acterizes a man of Irish- American origin, he of eighty-five. His wife, who was Nancy Rose 
succeeds in holding his own. and in winning of Bedford Co.. Pa., also possessed a very strong 
others to his side. Shortly after passing his constitution, and lived to enjoy ninety-five suni- 
majorit\'. he was elected constalile and codec- niers. Eifteen children — ten daughters and five 
tor, and served in this capacity for five years. sons — were born to theui. and all (if them grew 
He has held various township ofifices. and in up to maturity. 

1870 he was appointed to take the census in si.x William Elder, son of the foregoing, settled 

townships of Lawrence County. Mr. Aiken de- about three miles from the ol<l homestead, and 

rives his title of "Honorable" from his service engaged in farming, afterwards keeping a gen- 

in the State Legislature, where he had the jjriv- eral store at Elarlansburg. drawing all his 

ilege of representing his district during the .supplies by team from Pittsburg, forty-one miles 

years of 1873-74, 77-78 and 79. He has been a away. In the War of 1812 he served as a volun- 

justice of the peace since 1885, receiving succes- tear. P)esides his mercantile life, he cleared up 

sive commissions in i8(}0, 1895. ^"'l 1896. He a good farm, or was engaged in doing so. and 

is a mendjer of Princeton P(ist, G. A. R.. and while raising the frame for a barn was caught 

has served as cjuartermaster. ( )n account of his by a falling tindjer. and killed in 1828. His wife 

success in political afTairs. ls\r. Aiken is often lived to the age of fifty-two years. Of the nine 

chosen as a delegate to county and state con- children born to them, Hannah, the wife of J. E. 

ventions, and his career as a farmer and as a McConnell, John, the subject of this sketch, and 

loval follower of the "Stars and Stripes" places Mrs. Robert Peoples are the only ones living 

him among the foremost men of Lawrence to-day. After the death of William Elder, our 

Countv. He also was school director twelve subject's mother married as her second husband 

years, not missing a meeting in all that time. James Brown. 




JUDGE WILLIAM D. WALLACE, 



BOOK Of BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 35 

Uur subject attended the public schools, and Lawrence County; Hannah I), died in her 
in 1836 became a clerk for John Wilson at Har- youth. .Mr. Elder connnenced to e.xercise his 
lansburg. and later eng^as^ed in farming. In franchise as a \\ hig, but on the formation of the 
1847, as partner of Michael Jordan, he took Republican party immediately transferred his 
charge of the store, and in i»^50 served as county allegiance thither. He is a member of the Pres- 
auditor, and in i860 filled the position of pro- byterian Church, and has been since 1863. in 
thonotary for six years. I'or twenty-five years that year also becoming a charter member of 
he was actively identified witii the educational the I'nion League. Although (luite advanced in 
interests of the town, being a member of the vears, he bears his vears with grace, and few 
school board for that length of time, and also men of sixty years are so active. He is sound 
overseer of the poor. In i860, he sold his store in his judgment, a great reader, and because of 
at Harlansburg, and removed to Xcw Castle, this haljit of always being posted on current 
and in 1866 purchased the Dr. Whipple farm of events, he is never unprepared to engage with an 
150 acres, located at the east end of Court Street. adversary in debate, and he has ever proved 
A portion of this he has reserved for his private himself no mean antagonist, and is never con- 
needs, and on that section in 1873 built the large tent without a complete victory. His opinions 
frame residence, which stands there to-day. the on the live question of the day are not put for- 
rest of the property has been divided up into ward without due deliberation, and are then 
building lots, many of which have been sold, respected and valued on every hand. 
1 le lias also dealt largely in other real estate. 
I'rom the period of his first residence in Xew 
Castle he has been classed among the first citi- 
zens and most enterprising business men. He 

was one of the first stockholders and one of the JCDGE WILLIAM D. \\'ALLACE. Social 

founders of the New Castle Agricultural Works, and political position in the I'nitcd States is not 

which were erected in 1870, and were devoted to dependent, as in most of the Old World mon- 

thc manufacture of Lawrence mowing machines, archies, on titles or on long lines of family ances- 

reaping machines, and sulky horse rakes; a very tors, but is lather based on a man's own achieve- 

extensive business was enjoyed for two years, ments — if a person has estimable ([ualities he 

imtil the plant was destroyed by fire in 1873. will be well thought of. A self-made man, one 

Our subject's wife, Eliza, daughter of James wlio owes his success in great part to his own 

P. Elliott, was born in 1829, and has borne him individual efiforts. is the type of a man. of whom 

six children, who are as follows: Margaret, who we Americans are ])ardonably proud. i)erliaps 

married S. I!. Marshall; William J., of Warren because his struggles against adverse circum- 

Co., Pa.; Lillie, who married Judge J. W. Mc- stances and a comparatively humble l)egiiuiing 

Kinley of Los Angeles. Cal.; Mary lives at to success and honor so nearly resemble the life 

home; John is the teller of the National Hank of of our own nation. Among the I)rilliant number 



36 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 

of self-made men of wliom Lawrence County In his political attachments, Judge Wallace is 

boasts, we would be extremelv unwilling to pass a Republican. He first came prominently before 

by without due mention the name of the subject the public eye through stumping the county on 

of this sketch, William D. ^^'allacc, Esq., present various issues. He attracted attention and many 

judge of the courts of Lawrence County, wlio, favorable comments as he debated with vigor or 

because of his splendid fight to have the l)ill made convincing arguments on some cause or 

passed by the Legislature, making Lawrence other. His mind works with the smoothness of 

County a separate judicial district, was elected machinery; his perceptions are clear and exact, 

to the judgeship thus created on Xov. 6, 1894. His literary style is simple aiid unstudied, dis- 

Judge Wallace is a son of the late Dr. James liking and avoiding all attempts at display, and 

J. Wallace, one of the most eminent practitiun- having a marked distaste for verbosity. Cool 

ers of medicine in this county, and was born in and cautious, and in purpose independent and 

New Castle. May 15. 1857. Our subject's whole Ijold, no man gains an advantage of him by a 

life has been spent in Lawrence County; he personal assault, for he will strike back upon the 

graduated from Westminster College in 1881, weak point of his adversary with unerring aim 

and was a very popular voung man among and relentless force. Like all men who have 

students and faculty as a bright student and a been in ])ublic life. Judge Wallace has undoul)t- 

leader in athletic sports. Having chosen the edly made his enemies, but never cherishes a 

law as a profession, he studied the fundamental hard feeling toward another, so that when he 

principles of legal procedure and jurisprudence .greets his bitterest foe without the slightest 

in the office of Messrs. Dana & Long of Xew appearance of emnity, his friendliness frequently 

Castle and was admitted to practice in 1882. heals the breach and causes his opponents to 

Professionally, his life has been marked by a high become his warmest friends. 

sense of justice, a keen sympathv for the poor As an individual in the private walks of life, 

and oppressed suitor, and a plainlv shown im- his principal characteristics are a cheerful nature 

patience at that public clamor which now and and a briskness of manner that impresses those 

then usurps the place of pul.ilic justice and de- who meet him with the idea that he is intensely 

mands a victim without nnich heed as to the alive. He is a close student of human nature, 

question of guilt or innocence. When he be- and this, coujiled with his genial disposition and 

came judge he gave up a large and increasing tact, wins him friends wherever he goes. It is, 

practice, which was becoming verv profitable. in fact, one of the chief secrets of his success, for 

On the liench he has a graceful, dignified it matters not whether he meets a white man or 

bearing. His rulings and opinions are delivered a negro, a banker or a laborer, he is sure to give 

firmly, dispassionately, and with evident full in- him the same warm grasp of the hand and 

tent to treat the case fairly and imjjartially. He hearty greeting. Apart from his business cares, 

is alike courteous to the youngest attorney and Judge Wallace takes an active interest in social 

to the oldest member of the bar. matters. He is a good conversationalist, and 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPllIliS, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 37 

when at k-isurc is always uiliiiig to s])eml an received l)\ falling- downstairs. Their children 

evening in society. He seldom, if ever, joins a were; jolm 1'.., tlie subject of this sketcli; J.iz- 

|)arly without his wife, who is a woman of ami- zie, widow of the late (ieorgc Trucsdale; Kate 

able dis|)o.silion and fme accomplishments, chief L., the wife of Frank Simp.son of New Castle; 

among which is a love of music. Mrs. Wallace James H., the Chief of the Fire Department of 

is recognized as one of the sweetest singers in Xew Castle; and J£llen, deceased, who was the 

New Castle. I'he judge's portrait ap])ears on a wife of Homer Reynolds. 

foregoing i)age, and it is will) tlie deepest At the age of nine years. John i'.. j'.rown found 

])leasnre that we present the likeness (jf one who empioyinent in the rolling-mills as an assi.stant 

occupies so prominent and important a position hoy, and worked for a number of years, until he 

in the legal and jn.licial circles of Lawrence reached the years of young manhood, at a small 

^"""'^ \y^'^^; upon attaining the years of maturity, he 

realized that he was lacking a good education, 
and accordingly entered the One Study College, 
and fitted himself for a business life at his own 
expense. Having accumulated some little cap- 
JOHX P.. I'.ROWX, a prominent citizen of ital, he invested in real estate, buying lot.s, and 
Xew Castle, who, although thrown on his own having built on them, selling the property thus 
resources at an early age, managed to ac(|uire improved at good prices, allowing him a com- 
an education and become known as a ])rosper- fortable profit, and enabling him to increase his 
ous, self-made man, winning the confidence and capital, and widen the field of his operations. 
esteem of his fellow-citizens, and finding time to This business, in connection with other ventures, 
fill various offices of responsibility in addition to he followed until i8y6, having built thirty houses 
attending to his private business, is a leading i„ the meantime. In 1883, he was elected alder- 
dealer in real estate to-day, and was born in Xew man of the I'ourth Ward fijr a term of five years. 
Castle, Pa., May 18, 1855. He is a son of James a„,i ^vas re-elected to another term of .same dura- 
and Jane (Britten) Brown, who were both born tion in 1888. but in Xovember of that year he 
near Enniskillcn, Ireland. ^vas elected to the Legislature and served for two 
Our subject's father, when about twenty years years. In i8(p, he was elected to tlie position of 
of age, came to America, and found work in mayor of Xew Castle, and filled that office to the 
Washington County, of this State, in the rolling- entire satisfaction of the citizens of New- Castle 
mills, and was engaged in that industry the until 1S93. and has since served two terms in the 
greater part of the active period of his life until select council, serving one term as the president 
he retired; he is living at the advanced age of of that bodv. He is an active nunilier of the 
seventy-three at this writing in Xew- Castle, Republican County Committee, and is skilled in 
where he reared his family. His wife died at the practical |)olitics. He was appointetl post- 
age of fifty-eight, ileath being caused by injuries master of Xew Castle by President McKin- 



38 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WHENCE COUNTY. 



niiiiing for a time, and .then bought and oper- 
ated a canal boat, running from Erie to I'itts- 
Inirg and return. Next he became a railroad 
contractor, and for a period of eighteen years 
accepted and successfully completed jobs in 



grading and ]ire])aring the road-bed for the iron. 



ley Mav ist, 1897, and entered upon the dis- 
charge of the duties of that position June ist, 
1897. In 1890, he became associated with S. \'>. 
Marshall in the U. S. Detective Association, and 
remained in that connection until 189(1, when his 
business demanded his whole time, and so he re- 
liiuiuished the detective work. Mr. Brown, in his during which time he carried out the contracts 
building operations and real estate dealings, has for the construction of the Allegheny \'alley 
built a number of stores, and as a silent ]5artner K. R. through the Allegheny mountains, three 
has entered into their operation. miles near Freeport, and several contracts for 

Mr. ]]rown married Miss Eva A. Moore, the Pennsylvania R. R. His last contract was 
daughter of ;\lrs. T- *- ■ Moore, and has one child, for three miles in Mercer County for the New 
George C, born Nov. 14, 1880. He has a fine Castle and Franklin R. R. Since relinciuishing 
residence at No. 467 South Mill Street, which he railroad contracting, he has constructed many 
built for his home in 1891. He is a member of county bridges, and built no small number of 
the Western Star Lodge, K. of 1'., No. 160; New roads. He tinally retired froni active work to 
Castle Council, No. 131, O. U. A. M.; and New live on the competency gained in many years of 



Castle Home Circle, No. 6. 



\\'ILLL'\M A. F\'ANS, a prominent mer- 
chant of Mahoningtown, conducting a large 
and constantlv increasine; Inisiness in his hand- 



toil, and possesses a comfortable home in Pul- 
aski, where he bids fair to live many years yet, 
and enuilatc the example of his ancestors, who 
were remarkably strong physically, and lived to 
very advanced ages. He is a member of the 
A. O. I'. W. Both he and his wife are members 
of the M. E. Church. She was born in Beaver 
County, and was a daughter of John Freed, who 



some new block on Cherry Street, is a native of was a farmer and one of the oldest settlers in tlie 

the neighboring county of Beaver, where he county: he died in 1884, aged eighty years, 

was Ijorn Dec. 21, 1862. He is a son of James During the early days of the settlement of the 

and Sarah (Freed) Evan's. county, when game both great and small was in 

James Evans was born in \'irginia, and is now abundance, he was a great hunter, and many 

living in retirement in Pulaski, this county, at tales of his adventures still pass current among 

the age of seventy years, a venerable and high- the residents of the section where he lived, 

ly respected o\(\ gentleman. When a boy he The family moved to Lawrence County, when 

took to river life, and became a mate on (ine <)f our subject was seven years old, and his educa- 

the river steamers plving on the river near his tion was obtained in the district schools of the 

l)irth-j)lace in A'irginia. At the age of twenty, county, supplemented with one term at North 

he came to B.eaver County, where he followed Liberty and one year at Sharpsville, where he 



BOOK or H/OGRAPH//iS, /.AlFRE.VC/i CO('iVJY. 



89 



finishc.l at tlie age of seventeen. When lie at- LKWIS C LOCI 1 RAX of New Castle, a 
tained his majority, he became tirenian of the dealer in fiour. feed, hay and grain, was born in 
Pennsylvania R. R., where he was employed in Indiana County. April 2^. 1848, and is a son of 
that capacity fmni 1888 to i8(ji. In the latter William and J'llizaheth (Cunningham) Cochran, 
year he bought a store at Homewood, which he and a grandson of William and Sarah Cochran, 
conducted one year, and then came to Mahon- Our subject's grandparents were born in Ire- 
nigtown, starting in operation in this borough land, and upon their immigration to this coun- 
a store on Liberty Street, which grew and Hour- try settled in Indiana Co., Pa., where they lived 
ished under his careful and judicious manage- to a good old age; Sarah Cochran was excep- 
ment for four years, when the increa.se in his tionally long-lived, attaining the age of 103 
busmess and the demand for a better location years, being active and vigorous even to the last, 
and roomier quarters led him to undertake Xo with her strength of body, of seeing and hearing, 
provide for himself the store-room he desired, imjjaired to an ina])preciable degree. 
.\ccordingly. in i8<>6, he built after his own William Cochran, Jr., was born in Indiana 
plans a large, conmiodious block on Cherry County, and started out in life as an agricultur- 
Street. which he now occupies with a finely as- ist. at which vocation he was verv successful. 
sorted stock of groceries and provisions, rapid- He was a leading and prominent man. and 
ly building up a most enviable trade by his served as constable of the town. In middle life. 
genial, acconnnodating manners, his evident de- something like a ring-worm appeared on his 
sire to make friends of his customers and to give cheek, and at first little thought was given to it, 
them the best the market affords, and by having but as the months rolled bv and it increased in 
on hand only the freshest and purest of gro- size and brought to liim added discomforts, he 
<^eries. determined to consult a skilled physician, and 
In l'.ea\er County occurred his marriage to accordingly rode on lu)rseback to Philadelphia 
Nora Witherspoon, who was born in that coun- to have it examined and if need be to have it 
ty, a daughter of John II. and Enu'line (John- operated on. He was there informed that it was 
son) Witherspoon, both natives of tlie Keystone a cancer, and that no cure for it could be had; it 
State. The fruit of this union has been two eventually caused his (Kath at tlie age of forty- 
children— William 1). Wayne and Pearl W. eight. Plis wife survived him many years, reacli- 
The family are Methodists in religious belief, and ing the age of .seventy-eight years, her death 
attend the M. E. Church of Mahoningtown. Mr. resulting from a serious fall on the ice. TIkm 
Evans' political views are sympathetic with the were Episcopalians in religious belief. Our sul 
Democratic party. He is a member of Amazon ject's father was a Democrat, politically. There 
Lodge, Xo. 336, Knights of Pythias, of .Mahon- were born to theni the following ciiildren: Jane, 
ingtown: Junicjr Order of United .\merican deceased; Archib.ild of Indiana, Pa.; Ruth, 
Mechanics: and of the Order of Railway Train- deceased; Rosanna, deceased; Alexander of In- 
"it""- (liana. Pa.; Xancy. deceased; Stewart, deceased; 



ey 
b- 



-td 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



Lily Ann, who married Peter Knnkle of Indi- 
ana, Pa.; John, deceased; ^lartha E., who mar- 
ried S. T. Hayes, now of New Castle; Lewis C, 
our subject; and (ieorge, deceased. 

Lewis C. Cochran's education was limited to 
the instruction he received in the district schools 
of Iiis native place, attending those institutions 
till fourteen years of age, and then started out 
for himself at farming, continuing to lalior at 
that occupation until 1866, when he came to 
New Castle to clerk in the Leslie House. He 
remained in that connection two years, and then 
clerked for Pierce, Clapp & Co.; during this 
time he availed himself of every opportunity to 
acc|uire a more compreliensive education, study- 
ing far into the night and at every chance 
moment. This diligence was not to go^ unre- 
warded, for the proprietors leaving him in 
charge of the business for a short time, our sub- 
ject exhibited such skill and excellent judgment, 
that he was afterwards jiromoted to the position 
of bookkeeper, in which station he remained 
eleven years. He then opened a feed and flour 
store, where Develin's saloon is now on East 
Street, and ran a successful business there for 
nearly four years. He then bought the old Dr. 
Tidball property, where the house had been 
destroyed by tire, and in i88_^ built a new 
house, and a feed store, to which he added a 
grocery store in 1S87, and conducted both stores 
until i8y6, when he relinquished the manage- 
ment of the grocery to his sons, William and 
Jessie L.. who, under the firm name of Cochran 
Bros., enjoy a highly prosperous business. ( )ur 
subject still has charge of the flour and feed 
store. He has built, in addition to the store and 
warehouse, a brick l)arn and a bakerv, and in 



1873 erected a brick residence, which at present 
is owned by Dr. Pollock. 

i\Ir. Cochran married Miss Rebecca Tunison, 
daughter of James Tunison of ]\Iercer County, 
and has four children, namely; William James, 
born Eeb. 11, 1871, who married Ella Calder- 
man, he is the senior member of the firm of 
Cochran Bros.; Jennie Agnes, born Oct. 20. 
1873, married Harry G. Kieser of Xew Castle; 
Jessie L., born Sept. 26, 1875, is a member of the 
firm of Cochran Bros., and inarri(.-d Hannah 
Watkins; Charles T., born June 16, 1877, is a 
clerk. (Jur subject never fails to give his earn- 
est and hearty support to the support of the 
Democratic party. Jrle is a member of the AL E. 
Church, and is a Royal Templar of Temjjerance, 
and a member of the (.)rder of Ben Hur. 



JAMES N. EALLIS. a broker of Xew Castle, 
and large real estate owner and dealer of that 
city, was born in Brantford, County of Brant, 
Ontario, Canada, June i, 1849, •^•'"^1 '* ^ son of 
Sergeant James and ]\lar\' (Thompson) Fallis. 
who were both born in County b^ermanagh, 
Ireland. James Fallis was a ISritish soldier most 
of his life, and took part in the memorable Battle 
of Waterloo, in which engagement he received 
a bullet in the forehead, and carried it there for 
manv vears thereafter. He was commissioned 
by the British Government as drill-master, and 
was stationed at Toronto, where he prepared re- 
cruits for the army. At the age of ninety, he 
could ride a horse, go through the full cavalry 
drill, and cut an apjile in two with his saber 




ELDER JOHN T. PHILLIP. 



BOOK or BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 4:^ 

while riding at lull tilt. He was a skilled otificer, Wayne townsliij). ( )iir subject has Ijeen a niem- 
and lullv understood all the details that came in ber of the Xew Castle city council t\vent\-one 
his department: he ranked as serpieant-niajor years, and is president of the select council, and 
ui)on his retirement from the army. He lived to has been nnjst active in improving- the city, and 
l)e ninety-seven vears of age, and his wife was in advancing its numerous interests. He is a 
ninety-two at her death. Their children were member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a char- 
named as follows: Margaret H.: Jane: John: ter member nf the Commandery of Knights 
Sarah; Elizabeth: Isal)ella: Xoble: Maria: Janu's Templar. In his business life he has exhibite<l 
X.: and Lucinda. great push and energy and has been far-sighted 

Our subject, after attending High School, in his speculations. He is a deservedly popular 

studied law with his brother John, but not liking man, and is well entitled to the great respect and 

the profession well enough to stick to it as a esteem in which he is held, 
means of livelihood, he learned the tinsmith's 
trade, and in 1863 went to San Francisco, Cal., 
and opened a store at Xo. 8 Fourth Street. 
where he carried on a prosperous business in 

stoves, tinware, crockery, and took contracts for ELDER JOHX T. PHILLH', an ajipointed 
plumbing. In 1869 he sold the store, and went minister of the Christian Church, but now re- 
to Chicago, where he was engaged in the same tired from active work in the ministry, is inter- 
line of business until 1873, when he came to Xew ested with his son. I'.rrett F... in the real estate 
Castle, wiiere, on May 8th of the same year, he business in Xew Castle, under the style of J. T. 
married Miss Mary Kerningham, daughter of Phillip & Son: and engaged in teaching I'.ibie 
John and Margaret (McClelland) Kerningham. classes in the V. M. C. A. and the congregation 
Mrs. Fallis' father was a gentleman of County of Disciples in Xew Castle; he is one of the 
Down, Ireland, and there she was born. county's most highly respected citizens, for his 

Mr. Fallis has a fine residence at .\'o. 49 Xorth life-work is one of which he or any one else 

Jefferson Street, where he lives, and since he has might well rejoice. He was born in Little 

lived in Xew Castle has been identified with real lieaver townshi]). Lawrence County, whicii 

estate interests and conducted a highly profitable township was then included in J'.eaver County, 

business as a broker. He owns the following real Jan. 6, 1826, and is a son of Ephraini and Anna 

estate: Two houses on West Fall Street: three (Xewton) Phillip, and a grandson of Thomas 

houses on Shenango Street; one house on Lut- Phillip. 

ton Street; two houses on Jefferson Street: one Ephrain; PliilHi) was born in Trenton. .\. J., 

house on Grant Street; four houses on Croton as was also bis wife: they were married there 

Street; and one house on Lincoln Avenue. He and with horse and wagon came to Enon \ alley, 

has also a farm of 180 acres and another one of this county, where they bought a farm in a lo- 

65 acres in Shenango township, and a farm in cality which was then desolate and practically 



44 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

uninhabited, with the soil as nature left it, un- lege at Meadville, Pa., where he was a student 

touched by plough or harrow. To afford them for two sessions, subsequently attending Beth- 

a shelter till better times, he built a log house, any College of \'irginia for a vear, where from 

which remained their home until the land was over-study he broke down, and was compelled 

partially cleared, and imtil he began to make because of his ill-health ti.) return home. After 

brick, when he built a large lirick house, which regaining his health by vigorous out-door work, 

is still standing, and as it was on the .^tate Roatl he again took up his profession, and received a 

he ke])t a tavern in it. He also built a fulling call to the congregation of Disciples at Bazett, 

mill and did custom work, but as the soil was now Cortland, ( )hio, which he visited for several 

very sandy he had hard work to keep a dam in- years, alst) preaching in Missouri and in a num- 

tact, until he set out a number of sycamore trees. ber of other localities. He took up his ministry 

which were effective in protecting the work. In in the congregation of the Disciples or Chris- 

1828, he traded the ])roperty, so well improved tian Church of New Castle in 1862. This church 

under his alile hands, with Mr. James Adair for was organized in 1853, at which early period in 

property at Westfield near Mt. Jackson, this the society's existence the congregation used to 

county, where he built a saw-mill and carried on meet in the Covenanters' Church. The l)eauti- 

general farming uiUil his death at the early age ful. large church edifice, which stands to-dav 

of forty-three years, which was occasioned by a among the finest church structures of the coun- 

severe cold, which develojied into bilious fever ty, owes its existence mainly to the generositv 

which caused his death. of I'hilli]! Bros., who were producers of petro- 

He preceded his wife l)y many years to the lemn, df which our subject was one. 

home of the blest on the other shore. He was a 1 he material progress of New Castle has been 

Democrat (the political parties then were Demo- greatly aided l)y Mr Phillip's work in the real 

crats and ^\'higs) and a member i:)f the Christian estate line. He bought the Robert Stewart farm 

Church at Enon A'alley, this comit}-. The f(d- of too acres, in the city limits, paying therefor 

lowing children were born to him: Thomas, $30,000 cash, which property was at that date 

who died young: Catherine, bv marriage Cath- one of the most valuable in the countw This 

erine I aylor, deceased: Isaac N., deceased; fanu has been divided into lots and main' o\. 

Sarah, who married J. \\'. McCallen, and resides them .sold, Mr. Phillip owning about thirty-five 

on the homestead: Ephraini, deceased, who was acres at the present time. He went into the real 

a fariuer: John Taylor, our subject: Mary, de- estate Inisiness quite extensively, and a few )ears 

ceased; Charles Al. of Pasadena. Cal.; another later his son, Errett E., became associated with 

Mary, decca.sed; and TlK.mias W. of .\ew Castle, him, under the firm name of J. T. Phillip & Son, 

Our subject attended the common schools to with office for the transaction of real estate and 

secure a substantial basis for a higher education insurance business at Xo. 115^ East Washington 

until he was nineteen years old, when he began Street. ( )ur suliject was in ante-bellum days a 

teaching. He then entered the Allegheny Col- strong anti-slavery man. but has been allied with 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



is 



tlie Kcpuhlicaii party since the ilatc of its full 
organization until recently — is now a IVoliilji- 
tionist. 

On Fel). 7. 1X55. he led to the altar Martha 
J- Cable, uho was born ]\Iay 25. 1832, ilied l''el). 
15. 1878. and was a daughter of David and 
Rosanna Cable of Steiibenville, ( )hio. 'Jhe chil- 
dren by this marriage were: Rose A., born l-eb. 
8, 1856, who married O. H. ]'. P.rown, a dry 
_goods merchant of New Castle: Sally j.. born 
Jan. 29, 1858. lives at home; Fanny M.. born 
Jan. 23, i860, married John I-'. Stone of Indiana, 
now residing in (iuthrie, ( iklahonia Territorv: 
Lewis O., Vi. 1). of New Castle, was born Mav 
7, 1862; Charles M.. born May 17, 1864, died 
young; Errett K., born X'ov. 20. 1866. is in ]>art- 
nership with his father: John P... born Nov. 21. 
1868, lives at home; I'earl A., born Jan. 13. 1872, 
married Dr. W. .\. Miller of Xew Castle, died in 
1896; and Maud A., born Nov. 13. 1874. mar- 
ried I'.url E. Ross of Xew Castle. Mr. Phillip 
married as his second wife. June 3. 1879, Miss 
Mary Lanham. who was born July 23, 1836. 
and was a daughter of (labriel Lanham. a min- 
ister of the (ios])el. 

We present Mr. Philli|)'s portrait on a preced- 
ing page, and we are certain it will prove a verv 
interesting feature in this volume. 



PETER S. RHODES is a train ilispatcher 
of the Pennsylvania R. R.. and lives at .\lahon- 
ingtown. and his biography might be entitled 
"The History of a Successful Young Man," for 
he has risen to his present position from the 
post of telegraph o])erator. 



Mr. Rhodes is a .son of David and Helen M. 
(ShafTer) Rhodes, his nu)ther being a daughter 
of Peter and Sarah (Cameron) Shaffer, the lat- 
ter of Scotch-] rish descent. His maternal grand- 
father, Peter Shaffer, was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and tilled the .soil in that State until his 
death at the age of seventy-eight. 

David Rhodes, the father of the young man 
whose history it is our pur])ose to chronicle, was 
also a native of the Keystone .State, his home 
being east of the mountains in early childhood 
until his father, Solomon Rhodes, removed to 
Mahoninglown, and. following the footsteps of 
his forefathers, secured his living from the eartli 
by farming. Rebecca 1 lender was the maiden 
name of David Rhodes' mother. During his 
]>eriod of activity, David was a carpenter and 
builder, as he possessed more talent for con- 
struction than could be of advantage on a farm. 
I'p to the date of his withdrawal from active 
labor, more than half of the 1)uildings in the 
borough had been planned and erected by him 
and his brothers. At the time of the building of 
the Xew Castle and lieaver \'alley R. R., a first 
superintendent of construction was ajjpomted, 
and the man chosen to till that jjosition was Mr. 
Rhodes, whose work was to build dejjots along 
the line of the railroad. Mr. Rhodes has been 
a very busy man, Init has found time to take 
an active interest in ])olitics as a standi Republi- 
can. He and his good wife are members of the 
M. T-",. Church, and beside his helpful work in 
the cluirch. he did valuable service for the 
borough of .Mahoningtown as one of the six 
members of its first council. He is the ])roud 
father of four sons, all of whom are emulating 
his example, and identifying themselves with 



4G BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA IVRENCE COUNTY. 

railroad work. Irwin is an engineer on the D, and I'Llla (Werner) Durlian, Lillian D.. and 

I'ennsvlvania 1\. R.. and lives in Alahoningtown. she is the mother of two boys — Levi Dnrban 

Peter S., about whom we will speak a little fur- and Donald Newell Rhodes. Mr. Rhodes and 

ther on, is a train dispateher for the same road. family are earnest workers in the I'resbyterian 

Charles W. is a baggage-master and lives in Chureh, to which they belong. Politically, Mr. 

Mahoningtown. David D. is a fireman with Rhodes' sympathies are Republican, and in 1897 

headquarters at home in Mahoningtown. he was honored by an election to the presidency 

Peter S Rhodes has been referred to as a of the borough council. He is a member of the 
\oung man, and he is such in truth, fur he was social orders: Mahoning Lodge, No. 243. F. & 
born June 10, 1864. His bovhood davs were .\. M. of New Castle: and Amazon Lodge, 
devoted, as is customarv, to accjuiring an educa- Knights of Pythias, of Mahoningtow'n. He has 
tion in the conmion schools, and at tin- age of a pleasant and commodious home on Railroad 
seventeen vears he graduated from the high Street, where his many friends are always wel- 
school of New Castle, and soon after was ready come, and sure to be entertained in a royal 
to begin his career. He took u]) telegraphy in manner, 
the railway station at home, and under the tute- 
lage of S. G. Blanchard, he soon i^roved that he "■ ' ^'' ■" 
had the quick hand and the cool, steady brain of 

a good operator. When he had become profi- JAM]i.S W. R( )mNS( )X, who resides in 
cient, he entered the em])loy of the P. & L. E. Mahoningtown, is a long-time and trusted em- 
R. R., and was ])Ut in charge of the station at ])loyee of the Pennsylvania R. R., having been 
Davis Island Dam. < )ther places where he was connected with the train service of that road for 
sent for varying periods are Hazelton, Falls- almost thirty years. He was l)orn in West New- 
town, and New Castle Junction. At the last Castle, Jan. i, 1854, and is a son of Andrew G. 
place, he left the service of the railroad company and Frances (Edwards) Robinson. Andrew G. 
and accepted a position with the Western Union Robinson, whose father fought in the War of 
Telegraph Co. at New Castle. In 1882, his was 1812, was born in the region of HoUidaysburg, 
the good fortune to be otTered a situation in the Pa., aliout 1812, one of a family of sixteen boys 
office of the train dispatcher at Youugstown, and one girl born to his parents. He grew to 
Ohio, where he seized every chance of improve- manhood in that city, and married there. He 
nient, and was rewarded for his efforts in the was a charcoal burner by trade, the charcoal 
short space of si.x months by being appointed going to supph- the large iron furnaces: after 
extra dis|)Etcher. He has more than fulfilled coming to New Castle in 1842 or 1843, li^ still 
the hopes of his friends Viy continuing in the followed that lousiness until bituminous coal 
same place for twelve years. took the place of the charcoal, and then his 

Mr. Rhodes chose for his wife a lady who was occupation giving out he learned the trade of 

a native of New Castle, Pa., the daughter of Levi an iron-worker, and was employed in the iron- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COVXTY. 47 

mills the n-inaining active years of liis life, lie 18, 1878. just ten years to a day from liis inilia- 

(lied in New Castle at the age of seventy-three tioii in railroading. ( )ii this occasion Mr. Rol)- 

years. His wife was born in Wales in 1813, and inson suffered a severe injury in a fractured left 

was left an orphan at ai: early age; she came t(j leg. which necessitated his being "sent to the 

the United States with her two brothers, John shop for repairs," and his not being able to re- 

and Joseph, when she was seventeen years old sunie his run until the first of April following, 

in 1830, and settled in 1 lollidaysburg. Her tirst During his railroad life of nearly thirty years, he 

three children were born there. Of the family has missed biU one i)ay. antl that was when he 

of eleven children they reared, seven boys and was in Chicago for treatment- a record for 

four girls, seven survive. The record reads as steady em|)loyment few can equal, 

follows: Sarah Jane, who married David Hut- Mr. Robinson was married in Xew Castle, 

tenbaugh, an operative in the rolling-mills at June 2-^. 1876, to Anna G. Sankey, daughter of 

Xew Castle; Daviil, who was killed in the ser- T. 1'. and Caroline (Somers) Sankey, the latter 

vice of his country in the late war; Thomas, a daughter of Samuel. Jr , and I-^liza C. (l\an- 

deceased; Zcchariah, a mill operative of Xew kin) Somers. Samuel .Somers was born in i7<M. 

Castle; Joseph, the chief of jiolice of Xew Cas- married his wife in i8j2. and died in i82<;, at the 

tie; Andrew, a puddler in the iron works at Xew early age of ihirty-tive years. Two children 

Castle; Edward, deceased; Lizzie, deceased; have been born to Mr. Robinson ami his wife: 

Margaret, the wife of Charles ( )wery, a mill op- Walter Scott, a young man of twenty years, 

erative of New Castle; James, the tenth in order who is just entering upon a husines career, and 

of birth, and subject of this sketch; and Fannie, obtaining the training necessary to become a 

the wife of Edward J. Murphy, an engineer liv- successful business man; and James (larlield, a 

ing in Mahoningtown. bright boy, who died l-"eb. 11, 1889, aged eight 

( )ur subject was reared in Xew Castle, and years, when an inmate of the School for the 

attended the i)ublic schools there until his four- I'.lind. where he was being educated. The k)ss 

teenth year during the winter seasons; being at i>f his eyesight was through the effects of menin- 

that age a large and strong youth, he secured a gitis, the malady being further aggravated by a 

place as fireman on the Pennsylvania R. R., per- subsequent fall. The sudden sunmions lliat 

forming his first work for the company Dec. 18, came to him, when he was far from home, has 

1868. He was thus employed until Oct. 14, made his memory doubly dear to the bereaved 

1872, when he was promoted to the position of parents. Mr. and -Mrs. Robinson are members 

engineer, in which position he has been con- in good standing of tiie M. E. Church of Mahon- 

tinued as a valued em])loyee, and has held it ingtown. He is a l\e])iiblican in politics, and 

with credit to himself and eminent satisfaction to was formerly a member of the llrotherhood of 

his employers since. Probably the worst wreck Locomotive luigineers. He is a member of the 

that it has been the lot of Mr. Robinson to be Lodge of the Craft, Xo. 433. E. & A. M. of Xew 

mixed up in occiu'red at Clinton, Pa., on Dec. Castle. 



48 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

JAMES R. HOOA'ER, a resident of Slieii- and joined the Diseiples Church. He is an en- 

anijo township, who is engaged in farming and thusiastic (Jdd l<"ello\v, has been a nieniher ever 

fruit-raising on his farm about three miles south- since Sept. 20, 1856, and is also a member of the 

east of New Castle, was born in that city, Oct. (irand Lodge, and (irand Encampment. 

18, 1849, ''"'1 '^ '' ^"" "f Ephraim and Rachel James R. Hoover was reared in Xew Castle, 

(Koclier) lloover, the latter a native of ^^'ur- and was a pupil in that citv's public schools un- 

temljerg, (iermany, and a daughter of Erederick til he had reached the age of eighteen years, 

and Catherine (Smith) Kocher. Ephraim when he began working in the rolling-mills, 

Hoover was a native of Bedford Co., Pa., and \vhere he was employed ten years. In 1876. he 

a son of Martin and Margaret (C'onner) Hoover, bought his ])resent farm of tifty-two acres, which 

the latter a daughter of John Conner, who was a he utilizes in general farming and in raising 

soldier of the \\'ar of 1812. Martin Hoover was fruits; he has in bearing 200 fine peach trees and 

born in Huntingdon Co., I\i. 1 lis son, E,])hraim, 100 apple. He has identified himself with all 

caiue t(.) I'eaver Comity in 1834, when nine years the interests of his neighborhoods, and is one of 

of age, and when seventeen vears old he began the Ijest citizens of a first-class conunimit\'. He 

working in the rolling-mills under the employ <if has been very successful in his agricultural ven- 

James 1). White, and continuecl to work in the tures, and his love for the lieautiful h;is led him 

rolling-mills for thirty-nine years, working nuuu- to adorn his home, which everywhere shows 

years in Pittsburg, and being present iluring evidences of his good taste and practical skill, 

the big fire of April 10, 1845. He next lived in C)n ( )ctober 14. 1875, in Mahoningtown, oc- 

Youngstown, Ohio, and later made his home in curred Air. Hoover's marriage to Kate Lloyd, a 

\\'heeling, ^\'. \'a. Eor twent\-two years. ]\lr. daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Long) Lloyd, 

Hoover occupied the same hoiise on Lawrence the latter a daughter of Arthur G. and Catherine 

Street, New Castle, and in i860 bought his pres- (^Thompson) Long, and granddaughter of 

ent farm of thirty-one acres, Iving on the south- Arthur G. Long, a native of Greenville, Pa., who 

ern etlge of the city of New^ Castle, which farm owned a woolen mill on Big Run, wdiich he 

he has planted to fruits of various kinds. Six operated many vears. Arthur G. Long also 

children were born to him: Adam C: James owned a large tract of land along tlie stream, 

R., the subject of this sketch; Laura J., who be- which is now a suburb of the city of New Cas- 

came the wdfe of David Gaston: Willis H.; Delia tie, and has become a valuable piece of property 

R., who married Dr. Joseph Cooper of New in the hands of his heirs. Samuel Lloyd was 

Castle, whose biography appears in fidl else- born in Staffordshire, Eng., son of George and 

wdiere in this volume; and Edith Ennna. Mrs. Mar)- (Bagget) Lloyd, the latter a native of Dar- 

Hoover is a devout memljer and constant at- Huston, Stafifordshire, Eng., and a daughter of 

tendant of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Hoover Closes and Sarah (Wilkes) Baggett. Moses 

was for forty years a member of the M. E. Bagget w-as a brick-maker, and a son of Samuel 

( hurch. and then withdrew from that society, Bagget, also a brick-maker; each lived to be 




HON. ROBERT J, FULKERSON. 




MRS. MARY A. FULKERSON. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAIVREXCH COUNTY. 



53 



eighty years old. (icorge Lloyd was a native of 
Shropshire, Eng., where he was horn in 1780; 
he was an operative in the rolling-mills at Bil- 
ston, Eng., and lived to be si.xty-nine years old. 
He was a son of William Lloyd, a charcoal 
burner, who lived to be upwards of eighty years 
of age. One of the great-grandfathers of Mrs. 
Hoover fought in the War of 1812. The union 
of our subject and his wife iias been productive 
of ten children: Sarah R., deceased: Cora 1'., 
deceased: Ida M., deceased; Samuel Terry: 
James Edwards: Delia and Walter, twins: label: 
\'iola: and Clara. < )ur subject is. a r\ei)uh- 
lican and liioroughly interested in the success 
of his party. I>otb be and his wife are members 
in good standing in the Center Cnited Presl^y- 
terian Ciiurch of Sbenango townsliii), and may 
be found anu)ng the first in any church work. 



HOX. ROUERT J. 1- LLKERSO.X. Asso- 
ciate-Judge and one of the highest esteemed men 
of the city of Xew Castle, has good right to 
boast of bis l(jng residence in the county, and in 
the town, for be was born in a log-house, near 
where he now resides. Dec. i. 1822. He is a son 
of James and Martha (John.son) Fulkerson. and 
a grandson of John and Mary (Alky) Fulkerson. 

John Fulkerson was of (ierman descent, and 
the earliest record has him a resident of \ irginia, 
living near Rappahannock, b'redericks County, 
wdiere our subject's father was born. In 1810, 
John Fulkerson and his w-ife came to the town 
of Xew Castle in search of a desiralile farm, on 
which to locate, traveling three hundred miles 



on horse-back to reach this locality. Mr. I'ulker- 
son was neither a slave-owner nor a believer in 
the iniquitous ])ractice, and so his coming to this 
part of Pennsylvania was because he desired to 
settle in a new country where slavery was not 
allowed. He secured a farm of 2(Xi acres, lying 
between our subject's ])resent farm and Xew 
Castle, and returned to \'irginia, and with horses 
and wagons brought his wordly effects and chil- 
dren, with the exception of two. who chose to 
remain in their old home. The farm bad some 
few iini)rovements, there being a small log- 
house, or cabin, and a few acres cleared of the 
original timber by burning, and conse(|uently 
very fertile. So with little difficulty he installed 
bis household in the new home, and set about 
ac(|uiring a competence and securing a liveli- 
hood: there be reared his family, and with tlie 
assistance of his sons cleared the land. IJoth lie 
and bis wife lived to exceed eighty years of age. 
He was an attendant of the Presbyterian 
Church, and helped to construct the first church 
building. There were eight children born to our 
subject's grandparents, as follows: Lewis: John: 
Roger: James: Eliza, tlie wife of Thomas (iil- 
lisi)ie: William; Richard: and Margaret .\nn, 
the wife of William Cox. 

lames, being one of the oldest children who 
went to Pennsylvania, was of valuable assistance 
to his father in clearing the farm, and in keei)ing 
the wild animals, that abounded thereabouts, 
from molesting their live st(ick. I'^or his own 
farm he bought a tract of 200 acres, adjoining 
his father's i)roperty, which farm our subject 
owned later on, and set about in earnest to sup- 
port himself and to accmnulate jiropcrty; he was 
a vcrv hard worker, and made the work of clear- 



r,4 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

iiiij- as easy as it was ])ossil)lc 1>\- hurniii,<i' what tlie iDllowitiLC streets: ( )at, I'orn. Ann, and 
wonld he cimsidered very \ahia1)le luniher miw- Sjirinij. ( )f these lots, which he has placed on 
ada\s. hut which was then considered to he in the o])en market, he has sold the major portion, 
the way (jf crops of i;'rain which otherwise mi.^iit and man\ of them have heen huilt on, and are 
occupv the same place. His hrother went to the fast increasinj;- in value. Always active in the 
War of 1S12. and lames started with him, hut interest and jirog'ress of Xew Castle, he has heen 
met with a fall, which left him a cripple in his engai^ed in mercantile husiness some, and has 
left arm all his days. Ife was a prominent man heen identified in munici])al affairs to a consid- 
amont;- the town's citizens, and active in matters eralile extent, having- held many offices of the 
of puhlic interest, hut never held an office. He town and city, heini;- overseer of the ])oor ten 
died at the asje of sevcntv-nine. In the hattle of years and a school director for a lesser ]ieriod. 
life he ever looked on the hrii^ht side, was of a In 1887 he was elected associate-judge, and has 
chcerv disposition and ue\er down-hearted: in Idled tlie chair since with honor and distinction, 
his inmiediate surroundini;s he was a kind and \]|-. ]'\dkerson married Miss Marv Ann ( iih- 
loving hushand and father. His wife, who was son, daughter of Aimer (iihson of Wilmington 
a dau,ghter of John Johnson, died at the age of townshij), this count\-, |an. 20. 1848; Mrs. h'ul- 
sevcnty-niue. having home him eight children, kerson was horn |an. to, 1824, anil died ( )ct. 4, 
namely: John C, a resident of Xew Lastle, 1885. Their marriage was never blessed 
whose sketch also appears in this volume; with children, hut such was their desire 
Lewis, a farmer of .Xew fastle; Margaret, for some r)ne to cherish and care for, 
deceased, formerly the wife of J. R. Scpiires: that they have had several live with them, 
Eliza, tiow deceased, married William C. Hot^- and they have done a great deal to assist 
man: I'tohert j., our subject: Jane, deceased, the in bringing up, educating, and making them 
wife of J. Houk: Matilda, the wife of William h(jnoral)le and (iod-fearing men and women. 
Coplin; and James, who resides in the State of ( )ur subject and wife were members of the Pres- 
Io\\a. l)yterian Church, and Mr. h'ulkerson has to-day 
Robert J. b'ulkerson attended the district a seat taken from the old Presbyterian Church, 
schools, and ini]ir<ived ever\- oi.)portunity by which, as the first seat in the church that he ever 
w hich he might add to his stock of knowledge. sat ui)on. he keeps under his favorite S]iruce tree 
and SO become equijjped for life's work. He as a remembrance of his ai)])earance on that, his 
stayed at home, and like a dutiful son cared for first visit. The seat consists of an oak plank, 
his parents in their last days: in due time as a with four of the original spindles used as its sup- 
recompense for his services he was given the ports. He has a tine orchard, which he assisted 
homestead and part of the land, on which he his father in setting out. and has since replaced 
built a house, in 1861, whert' he now resides. the old trees which no longer liear with new 
lleing located on the borough line, he has cut stock. To show the fertilit\- of the land an<l its 
u]i a ])art of the farm into city lots, laying out adaptabilitv for raising large crops of the most 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



O.) 



luscious fruit, it may he remarked that in 1896 Rachel, P,illy. i'.eekv, .^allv, Ann, Catherine, 

the limhs of tlie trees hroke flown from sheer Jane, lietty, and Talithia were the jrirls: and 

weight of the load they carried. He is not only John, Sannul, William, and Ross were the 

a practicahle farmer, hut a tine business man in hovs. 

every particular, Samuel C.)x settled in L'nion township, this 

Amonfj the prominent and representative county, on a part of the old homestead, which he 

citizens of the county, whose portraits we pre- sold later on, and houtjlit a farm in I'ulaski 

sent in this hook, we take pleasure in j^nving that townshi]), where he spent the remainder of his 

of Mr. Fulkcrson as a gentleman of exceptional life. He was a ver\ i)rogressive. wide-awake 

worth and good standing. niau. and one of the best of farmers. He be- 

\Ve also present the jjortrait of .Mrs. lulker- longed to the Methodist Church. The following 

.son as a worthy companion picture. children were horn to him: Mary, the wife of 

1 lenry C"o<iper of Xew Castle: Lewis C, a dealer 

^ in agricultural imjilements at I'ulaski, Pa.; 

William 11., our subject: John D., a farmer and 

milk dealer; Charles C, a teacher by profession, 

\\1LL1.\M 11. C( >X, a lumber dealer and who has charge of the homestead farm; Joseph 

I)rominent citizen of Xew Castle, who owes a R.. a physician of F.denburg. Pa.; and .\lthea, 

great measure of his i)resent success to the unre- John, and Lewis, the three oldest, who died in 

niitting efforts that have distinguished his life extrenie vouth. 

from that of the generality of men, was born William H. Cox early devoted his energies to 
seven miles north of the city. May 7, 1856. and the lumber business, and adopted the i)lan of 
is a son of Samuel and Sophia ( Reynold.s) Cox, buying tracts of land covered with timber of 
and grandson of William Cox, a native of the marketable (piality, and clearing the same, and 
Keystone State. ( )ur subject's great-grand- converting the rough logs into finished lumber 
father was born in Ireland, was joined in wed- in the saw-mills which he erected lor that pur- 
lock there, and when he came to this country pose. He operated in Lawrence and Ik'aver 
.settled in Eastern Pennsylvania, whence he came counties, and shipped by the carload to Pitts- 
on on horseback with wife and family to this burg, and to I'.utifalo. X. V.. likewise furnishing 
county, and settled on the 500 acres of land, the railroad with a large amount of tiniber and 
which was known as the "500 Acre Tract"; there lumber. In 1886, Mr. Cox took uj) his residence 
he built himself a log-house and lived to the end in Xew Castle, and in i8(;;, l)nill himself a tine 
of his years, and after him his son William. < )ur home of brick, fitted with all the modern con- 
subject's grandfather passed away wiien abtnit veniences, and furnished throughout in the most 
nmety-five years of age; his wife lived to be artistic and pleasing manner: this is located at 
aI)out eighty-six. Sixteen children were born to Xo. 307 West Washington .Street. He lias built 
them, of whom thirteen grew up, namely: several other houses for .speculative purposes. 



5() 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



l)uying" his Ijuililinij lots from the Fulkerson 
addition to the city, and owns four tenement 
houses at present. He is a stockliolder in the 
New Castle Car Mfg. Co., and is president and 
director of the same. He is faithful to his 
Republican principles, and is a member of the 
Preslivterian Church. Since living in New 
Castle he has dealt in lumber. His progress in 
business has been steady and constant ever since 
his start as a yoimg man. and his excellent iu<lg- 
nient has stood him in good stead in main an 
anxious liour, and has never failed to point out 
the right course. 

Mr. Co.x married Miss Sarah C. Phillips, 
daughter of Epliraim Phillips, a farmer of this 
county, and has had four children born to him, 
namely; I'earl R., Ixirn Xov. 23, 1881 ; Cieorge, 
who died aged two months; Harry W., born 
Nov. 20, 1883: and E])hraim, liorn l'"eb. 7, t886. 



J(")SEPp[ KISSICK, deceased, was born near 
Manor, Westmcjreland Co., Pa., March 29, 1801, 
and when a boy removed to Deer Creek. Alle- 
gheny Co., Pa., with his father, where the most 
of his youthful years were spent. His father 
died before our subject grew to manhciod, and 
Mr. Kissick showed his manhood and indepen- 
dent character at an early a.ge. for when his 
father died he said "the world was his inher- 
itance," and struck for himself. At the age of 
twenty-one he began farming near the old home- 
stead, Init after a few years changed to the mer- 
cantile business at Bolivar on the line of work of 
the canal between T'hiladclphia and Pittsburg. 



He subseciuently became interested in canal con- 
struction, and followed tliat occupation until 
1832, when he removed his business interest to 
New Castle, where he purchased the corner lot 
lietween Mercer Street and A])])le AUev, and 
luiilt a substantial store and dwelling, a part of 
whose walls are in the present, bank building, 
which was erected on that site, b'or a number 
of years he owned what is now known as the 
Raney grist-mill. an<l ran the same in connection 
with his store. He was one of the first stock- 
holders and directors of the Hank of Lawrence 
County. He always had the interests of New 
Castle at heart, and was prominently identified 
with many of the great projects that have been 
\ery instrumental in aiding its growth and 
l)roper development; he was an active promoter 
and stockholder in the early railroad enterprises. 
In 1833 he held the office of burgess. For more 
than forty-four years he was one of the most 
active citizens of the city, giving of his time and 
means in general to all enterprises connected 
with the growth and prosperity of the place. 

He was a man of good judgment and honest 
convictions, and tried to live and do right, and 
because of his strict integrity and open-hearted- 
ness of nature was often looked to for advice, 
which was frankly given as he thought was 
right. At the time of his death, he had finished 
a period of sixty-four years, in which he had 
been a ruling elder in the Associate Reform and 
then of the United I'resbyterian Church. He 
was one of the organizers of the First United 
Presbyterian Church. His clear, practical sa- 
gacity and integritv in business gave him the 
full confidence and high esteem of his fellow- 
citizens both in his imme(liate neighborho(.)d 



BOOK OF. BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCIi COUNTY. 57 

and bcvoiid the confines of New Castle, where- Margaret Ilenry, (lanij;liter of |ames Henrv, a 

ever liis name was known. On Aujj. 7, uSSS, native of the liiickeyc State. From .\ustimown 

he was thrown from a hue:g>-. and received in- he moved to I )arHni;t<)n, whence after a short 

juries of so serious a nature that he succumbed residence he removed to Hookstown, 1 'caver 

to the dread power of dcatli on tiie following County, where he made his home and practiced 

day. He died the death of a man upright in for thirteen years. He was elected to the State 

the faith of his Master. Legislature from tiial district in 1848 and again 

.Mr. Kissick's first wife, .Mrs. Margaret (Cil- in 1849, '•"' declined a third term because of ill 

hraith) Kissick, died .\ug. 2. 1873, and in tiie liealth. He then changed his residence to North 

following year he was jt)inetl in wedlock with IJeaver townshij), Lawrence Counlv, in 185,5, 

Miss Esther Cooper of New Castle, who still where he went on a farm, which he soon sokl 

survives him. and moved to Enon \ alley, where he died, aged 

sixty years. In his political attacluneiUs, he was 

«».^*» a Whig and then a Republican. l\eligii:)usly, he 

was a mend)er of the Presbyterian Churcli. His 

SAML'I-^L W. SMITH, mavor of the city of first wife, already mentioned, died between the 

New Castle, is a son of Dr. William Smith, and ages of thirty-eight and forty, leaving him three 

a grandson of .Samuel Smith, who was born children: Sanniel W. ; James H. ; and X'ancy J., 

near Pittsburg. I'a. 'riie grandfather of our who died at the age of twenty-five. He was 

subject was a jxitter by trade, and also followed again united in marriage to Mrs. Samantha 

mercantile pursuits throughout the twenty years Wallace, who now lives in Enon \alley. Charles 

previous to his death: he engaged in his trade of W., the only child i>f this second union, lives in 

a potter in Darlington, P.eaver Co., Pa., and St. Paul, Minn. 

was a merchant of Newport, Pa. He was li\- Sanuiel W. Smith was l)orn in Darlington, 

ing in Mahoning Co., Ohio, when he enlisted Pa., Oct. 20, 1837, and lived on the farm and 

for the War of i8ij, and was present at L'om- acc|uired a district school education luitil 1864, 

modore Perrv's signal naval victorv over the when he eidisted in Co. P>. l-'ifth Pa. Heavy Art., 

P>riti.sh fleet on the waters of Lake I''rie. lie and was with (ien. .\uger in the defen.se of 

lived to be upwards of eighty years old. His Washington, being mustered out in August, 

wife, Susan Tidd of Pittsburg, passed away 1863. On his return to civil life and the pursuits 

when aboiU three score years and ten had sil- of peace, he engaged in the drug business for 

vered her hair, and enfeebled her frame. thirteen years in Xew Castle. He married Mary 

Our subject's father was born in .Mahoning McConahy, daughter of William AlcConahy of 

Co., Ohio, and received his education in tlie Xorth Heaver township, and has two children: 

schools at Darlington and in the Jefferson .Medi- Clara M. (Cregoryl: and h'rank W., who holds 

cal College of Philadeliihia. He began his jirac- a position in the .National liank of Lawrence 

tice in Austintown, Ohio, where he married County. .Mr. Smith was appointed mayor by 



58 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

the council ( )ct. 2y, 1894, was re-elected in i8y5 Senior ( )rcler of American Mechanics. He was 
to serve the unexpired term of ex-Mayor Rich- a son of Joseph and Margaret (Showalter) 
ardson. and in February. 1896, was elected for Smith, the latter a daughter of Jacob Showalter. 
a term of three years on the citizens' ticket. He The former was a son of William Smith, and 
is a jirominent Mason, and is a member of the was born in Lancaster Co., Pa. He was a black- 
following orders: Mahoning Lodge, Xo. 243. smith by trade, and owned and operated a farm 
F. & A. M.; Delta Chapter, Xo. 170, R. A. M.: at the same time that he carried on his trade; his 
Hiram Council, Xo. 45: Lawrence Command- death took place when he was aged about seven- 
ery, Xo. 62; he is a past officer in the lodge. ty-seven years. ( )ur subject's mother, Xancy 
chapter, and conunandery. He is a meml)er of (Foster) Smith, was a daughter of Forgus and 
the (;. A. R. Post. Xo. 100. Elizabeth (Yoho) Foster. Forgus Foster was a 

farmer Ijy occupation and served through the 
War of the Rebellion, dying at the age of seven- 
ty-seven. His wife was a daughter of Lawrence 
Voho. a farmer, who lived to be seventy years 
l'"()R(iL'S F. SMITH, who resides in the of age. Our subject comes of patriotic stock, 
borough of Mahoningtown. is the supervisor of for others of his male ancestors besides his 
sul)-di vision Xo. I. of the E. & A. Division of grandfather, Foster, to<.)k ])art in the wars 
tJM.' i'ennsylvania Co.'s lines. He is one of those of the I'nited States, beginning with the War of 
highl}' respected men. wlm have matle their own Indeiiendence. and going down through the list, 
way: he connnenced on the lowest round of rail- Forgus F. w'as born in Homewood. I'a.. Jan. 
road work, and has risen to his present position zj. 1847, wdiere he was reared and where he re- 
by his own energy and grit, supplemented with sided until 1878, attending the district schools 
an unusual gift of being able to make the most until he had reached the age of sixteen, mean- 
of prevailing conditions. His .services are valu- while assisting his father on the homestead. For 
able because eminently practical, for his knowl- the five succeeding years he worked on the sec- 
edge of the work he supervises is intimate, for tiiDn for the railroad, and then gave up that occu- 
lt was all gained in the hard school of experience. i)ation to enter the army in defense of the Union. 
His father. John W. Smith, was iDorn near the He served two years, first in Third Pa. Artillery, 
villages of Rockford and Clinton coal mines, and later in Co. K. i88th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., 
Dec. 8. 1823. and died at the age of sixty-three: receiving his discharge Dec. 19. 1865. at Camp 
he was a painter by trade in early life, and was Cadwallader. near I'hiladelphia. Among the 
honored by his fellow-citizens with all the offices battles in which he participated were: Drury's 
in the township, so great was their rt-spect and Bluff; Cold Plarbor; Chapin's h'arm ; Peters- 
trust in liim. He was a member of the M. E. burg: Proctor Creek, etc. On his return from 
t hurch. and of the following societies and the arm v. he secured a position as brakeman on 
organizations: V . ^ A. M.; L O. ( ). F". ; and the railroad, and followed that vocation for the 



^ 4 




«* 




JAMES K. POLLOCK, M. D. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. x\\ 

space of a year. Then for two years lie worked the site of tlie Erie R. R. \ar<ls, and tlirectly 

in a stonc-cjuarry, after which lie returned to the opposite the \ulcan Foundry. His grandfather, 

railroad again, and worked t)n a section until Dr. Joseph I'oUock, was a very prominent phy- 

july, i,S-,S, when he became foreman of the sician of New Castle. Pa., and was considered 

section, and was advanced in jainiary. i8yo, by many to be the best phvsician and sur- 

to his i)resent position of responsibility, already geon in Western I'ennsylvania. He married 

""t"-"''- Rachel Morehead, daughter of James Morehead 

He contracted his first matrimonial alliance of Xew Castle, and to them were born the fol- 

IJec. 2},, 1871), in Big Beaver townshij). with lowing chiklren: Perry A.; Milo, who married 

Martha A. Cox, to whom four children were a .Miss \an Horn, daughter of Hon. Sanniel \'an 

born: John W.; Milton C.rosvenor. deceased; Horn; Hiram, the father of the subject of this 

-Mabel \'ernon:and Clyde I'oster. deceased. He sketch: Camilla X.. who married William .Mait- 

again assumed marriage vows July 6, 1893, being land of .Ww Castle, and bore him these chil- 

joined in wedlock with Edwina C. Kelly. Mr. dren — John. .Martin. Perry, Irene, and Addie: 

and Mrs. Smith are members in good standing Isaphoena married William McMillin of Xew 

of the M. E. Church, and active in performing Castle, and they were given three children — 

their share of the clmrch work. Mr. Smith is a .Mary. Joseph, anil l-"rank: Belinda married R. 

Republican in politics, and is at present serving W • Clendenin of Xew Castle and the\ have three 

his .second term in the borough council. He is children — Wallace. Wells, and Mary; Adaline 

a member of Xew Castle Post. Xo. KX), Cj. A. R. married Joseph White of Xew Castle, and 

their family consisted of: Alice. Crawford. Eva. 
Joseph. Fred, Carrie, and .Mary; Laura married 
John .Mitchell of Xew Castle and had four chil- 
dren — William. James. Mary, and Kittie; Caro- 

JAMES K. POLLOCK. M. 1)., of Xew line married Dennis McCoy; and Josephine, 

Castle, whose portrait appears on the opposite who married William Sommers of Xew Castle, 

page, occupies an enviable ])osition among his and bore him three children — I'>ank. Carrie, and 

fellow-practitioners as a phvsician whose diag- Irene. I'Vank is one of ilie successful Klondike 

noses of cases are verv rarelv found wanting. niiners, reaching California in .'-September, 1897. 

and whose treatments are seldom known to fail; \\\\\\ tifty thousand dollars. •■In religious belief 

for this reason he is often called in consultation the famil\ favored the Presbyterian I'hurch. 

with the other doctors, and is known wideK' Our subject's grandmother was called home in 

beyond his innnediate field of jiractice. He was the fall of 1874. 

born in that ])art of Shenango townshi]). once lliram Bollock, our subject's father, was edu- 

known as Pollock townshi]). and now included cated in the schools of Williamsport. and when 

in the ])resent city limits of Xew Castle. .April 19, a young man engaged in agricultural pursuits, 

1845. in a house which stood on what is to-da\ but as his health could not stand the exposure 



62 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

incident to a farmer's life, he became interested attending to a general practice. He is a member 

in the Ixuiting business, running a packet be- of the Lawrence County Medical Society, and 

tvveen New Castle and Pittsburg, Pa., which he also belongs to the F. & A. M., Lodge of the 

carried on several years. Later in life, he en- Craft. Xo. 433 of New Ca.stle, Pa. Politically, he 

gaged in lumber business in New Castle. is a firm Repuldican. and held the office of cc^r- 

continuing in this vocation till his retirement in oner about sixteen years. 

late life. His death occurred April 15. i8()6. (hi Sept. 25. 1873, he was joined in marriage 
aged seventv-six years. In his political affilia- with Margaret E. Cox. daughter of Albert G. 
tions, he was originally a Republican, but latter- Cox of New Castle, Pa.: of their two children, 
ly became a Prohibitionist. He marrieil Sarah Kittie died at the age of three years and si.x 
Elizabeth Kerr, and to them were given fnur nmnths. and Maggie was removed from the 
children: James K.. our subject : Alary \'.. wdio home by an All-Wise Providence, when aged 
married Joseph Gennnil of New Castle, Pa., and six months. Mrs. Pollock died in 18S8. ( )n 
has two children — Mar\' and Elizabeth: Lucy. June it>. i88tj. he formed a second union with 
deceased: and Hiram S.. who married Louise Dora 1!. Houthett of New Castle, daughter of 
Young of New Castle and has one child — Lewis. Joseph Douthett. He married his third wife, 
Mrs. Pollock died in 1890, aged sixty-eight who was Ella M. Newton, daughter of G. A. 
years. The\- were Presbyterians in the matter of Newton of New Castle, May 5, 1893, ami to them 
church attendance and memliership. has been given one child — Rachel P).. born I'eb. 
Dr. Pollock obtained his grannnar-school 5. 1895. -^Irs. Pollock is a member of the Chris- 
education in New Castle, and in 1861 became a tian Church, while her husband belongs to the 
drug clerk in the New Castle Dispensary, then Presbyterian Church, 
managed bv James .*^hields of New Castle. He 
remained in that connection alxnit ten yeara, 
and then rtad medicine with Dr. Marker of New 
Castle as preceptor. Late in the winter of 1871- 

•/2. he entered the .Miami Medical College of WILLIAM E. REED, a prominent citizen of 

Cincinnati. ( )hio. and graduated in 1873. In .Shenango township, and a splendid representa- 

1872, prior to his graduation and to receiving tive of its sturdy agricultural class, was born on 

his diploma, his first field of jiractice was in the farm of which his own farm is now a part, 

llarlansburg. Pa. In 1873 he opened an office Dec. 18, 1851, and is a son of John C. and 

in New Castle and late in 1874. he removed to Phoebe A. (hidings) Reed. He was reared on 

Chuckatuck, Nansem(.)nd Co., \'a., wdiere he the old homestead, and in all his life has never 

remained a year and a lialf. returning from there lived bevond its boundaries: when a boy he at- 

to Harlanslnirg. Lawrence Co.. Pa., in 1876. In tended the district schools, was advanced 

1879, li*^' located permanently in New Castle, through the high school at New Castle, and 

where he has been very successfull}' engaged in completed his education in the State Normal 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 63 

School at Edinboro, Eric County, at tlic age of acconiplislieil with his iiuloniitablc will and ex- 
twenty years. When nineteen \ears okl' he traortlinary perseverance much more tJian most 
taught his first term of school, and since his men of larger frame could have done. He was 
graduation from the Normal School he taught ambitious to leave his children well provided for, 
ten additional terms. He is a member of the and in doing so exerted himself more than he 
school board of the township, and in no sub- ought to have done, and may be said to have 
jcct of public moment does he take such close sacrificed himself for his children. There was 
and abiding interest as in the cause of education, no one in the county who stood higher in public 
antl his services as pedagogue and in other ini- estimation than did Mr. Reed, and his word was 
portant capacities relating closely to the educa- as good as his bond. So high was the estima- 
tional work of the township his services have tion in which he was held, that favors are often 
been invaluable. Educational ability seems to extended to Iiis sons, because of their father's 
run in the family, as many of his uncles and good name. Itis much-beloved wife and help- 
cousins have ]>resided at the desk, and all his meet through life was Phoebe Ann Iddings, 
brothers and sisters with the exception of one daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Hoopes) Id- 
have taught in various parts of Lawrence Coun- dings. The latter was a native of Chester Co., 
ty. This ability is doubtless inherited from their I'a., of Quaker stock, and descended from Sir 
ancestor, Joseph Iddings, who was the first Anthony Wayne's sister: her father was Ezra 
teacher in the county. Mr. Reed remained with lloopcs of Chester Co., Pa. Joseph Iddings 
his parents under the parental roof until he was was also born in Chester Co., Pa.; having re- 
thirtv vcars of age, when he married, and settled ceive<l a good education when a boy and young 
down on his own farm, having purchased for man, he turned his attention to teaching, and 
this purpose a sixty-acre tract adjacent to the was one of the first school-teachers in Lawrence 
original homestead of his father, lieneral farm- County. I le followed farming as an occupation 
ing in the past has claimed most of his energy in later years. He reared the following children: 
and attention. InU at present he is iiUerested in Mary, who is eighty-four years old; Mirabel, 
dairy-farming almost to the exclusion of all else. deceasc<l ; Hannah, who married Martin Reno, 
John C. Reed, our subject's father, who is deceased, of Shenango township, Lawrence 
now deceased, was born in Shenango township. County; Sarah, who became the wife of Hugh 
near the Center L^nited Presbyterian Church, A. McKee; Elizabeth, deceased, who married 
May 3, 1826, and lived his entire life in his na- James Leonard of Lawrence County, and now 
tive tow^nship, following the healthful and of Michigan: .\nn, deceased; Lavinia, who mar- 
peaceful life of a farmer. His death occurred ried James Davis of Lawrence County; and 
Jan. 28, 1895, after .sufTering a number of years Phoebe .A., the mother of our subject. To John 
from a stroke of apoplexy, received while plow- C. Reed and Phoebe A. Iddings were given ten 
ing in the fields. Mr. Reed was an energetic children, as follows: William E., the subject of 
man, and although somewhat small in stature, this sketch: Joseph, who is living in Sharon, and 



04 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



practicing medicine: Charles A., a leading physi- he returned to Shirleysburg, sold his farm, and 

cian of the city of Xcvv Castle; Jlannah, de- started for IMahoningtovvn with the proceetls, 

ceased; Anna and Mary, twins, both nf whom with the intention of purchasing each of his sons 

are deceased; .Sarah j., the wife of Richard a farm. As time passed bv, and no word was 

Wright of Taylor township; Lovina. who mar- received from him, inc|uiry was made along the 

ried William H. Weinschenk of Shenango route, which he was sui)])()se(l to have taken, 

township; John W., deceased; and Luther M., with the result that his horse and saddle were 

whose biogra]:)hy apjjcars on another page. found but his bodv was never recovered, nor 

Mrs. Reed, widow of John C, makes her home was there any record of him ever found, but it 

with her daughter, Mrs. \\'illiam H. \\'ein- is supposed that he was murdered and robbed 

schenk. for the money he carried in his saddle-bags. He 

John C. Reed was a son of William and Anna was a soldier in the Revolution, and served hon- 

(Cameroni Reed. The latter is still living to-dav orably after having once deserted and then re- 



joined the army. 

William Reed, the grandfather of our subject, 
mind for one of her advanced years; she has was b(jrn at Zanesville, Ohio, in June, 1803. and 



at the age of ninety-two _\'ears, and is surpris- 
inglv active and vigorous both in bodv and 



been granted the unusual i)rivilege of seeing a 
descendant in the tifth generation, being a 
a:reat-eTeat-trrandmotlier tn the members of the 



came with his parents to Lawrence County, in 
T<So6. He learned the wheelwright's trade, and 
worked for a tiiue in Xew Castle. In 1829, he 



last generation. She was l)orn in Mahoning- bought a farm in Shenango townshi]), on which 

town. F'eb. 10, 1805, '^'i'' was a daughter ot tiiere was a small clearing and log-cabin; here 

James and lletsey ( Hendrickson ) Cameron, the lu- followed his trade, and cleared his farm, 

latter a daughter of J )r. Hendrickson, the first which to-dav is one of the ver\- best in the coun- 



physician to settle in the comity, coming here in 
170)7 with two other families from Peniisville, 



ty; the soil of it is peculiarly adapted to fruit- 
growing, and it often results that in a poor fruit 



N. J. Indians were very numerous about this vear his orchards will be the only ones bearing- 
region, and lletsey Hendrickson received a in the vicinity. He passed away in the prime of 
severe fright from one of them, when she \\a^ his life, attaining only the age of fort\- years. He 
driving the cows home from their pasturing was a son of John and Margaret (Lutton) Reed.- 
ground; she was never sent alone on such an the latter a daughter of Ral]ih Lutton, who mar- 
errand again. James Camernn was born at Shir- ried a Miss Martin. John Reed was born in 
leysbnrg, I'a., and was a farmer b\- occupation; Ireland, and u])on coming to America settled 
he died in Shenango townshi]), near .Xew Cas- first at Zanesville, ( )hio, from which locality he 
tie, at the age of sixty-six years. He was a son luoved in 1806 to Lawrence County, settling in 
of James Cameron, Sr., who came to Mahoning- Shenango township on the stream now known 
town to see if he would like the place for a resi- as Snake Run; he too died at the age of forty 
deuce; the country suiting him iu every respect, years wdiile his wife ^Largaret lived to be ninety- 



BOOK or BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. f,.-. 

two years old. He- was a weaver in Ireland. an<l 1)A\ 11) S. X()RR1S. a stone dealer of New 
followed that trade in America until he took up I'astle, I'a., was horn in W'asliinijton Co.. Pa., 
farming as a means of ohtaininsj a livelihood. Se]>l. 15. 1S29. and is a son of Charles Xorris, 
and securing; an inde])endcnce. Mis father, w iio was horn in Washington County, in 1808. 
Michael Kced, never left the old country, hut Charles was reared and educated in his native 
lived and died in the north of Ireland. county, and followed a.gricultural jnirsuits for 
( )ur suhject. William E. Reed, was joined in a livelihood. Soon after his marriage he hought 
marriage Xov. 29, 1882. near Center Church, to a farm ahout sixteen miles south of I'ittshurg. 
liliza L. Keller, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah in Allegheny County, and lived there until his 
(Fink) Keler. Mrs. Reed's mother was honi in death in 1875. He married Sarah Winters, who 
Berks Co., Fa., in 1814. ami was a daughter of was horn in 1806, and died in 1865. and they 
John and Katherine (Kraglow) I'ink. Jonathan raised to manhood and womanhood the foUow- 
Keller was horn in Berks Co., I'a., I'eh. 11. 1812. ing children: John, who lives in the State of 
an<l was a son of George and I'olly (Specht) Missouri; David S.. our suhject: .Mary J. 
Keller: Tolly (Specht) Keller was born in I'.erks ((iraham). deceased: Charles P.. an undertaker 
Co.. Pa., and was a daughter of John Specht. of the city of Xew Castle: Sarah A. ((iunsaulus); 
wh(^ married a Miss Xeuman. (leorge Keller, William, deceased: Daniel, a resident of Xew 
a son of George Keller, Sr., a native of I'.erks Castle: Josejih, who lives in Meadville. Pa.; and 
County, was a soldier of the War of 181 2, ami Clark, a house painter of Xew Castle. (Jur sub- 
lived to be seventy-two years old. A bright and ject's father was a Whig and then a Republican, 
interesting group of three children constitute the and the family favored the M. E. Church, 
family of our subject, and they are named as David S. Xorris spent his boyhood days in 
follows: Lillian Keller: Charles Franklin, who Allegheny County, and was married in 1852 to 
died in infancy: and Wesley Edgar. Mr. antl Rachel Stevens, daughter of Craven Stevens of 
Mrs. Reed attend the Second United Presbyter- Allegheny County. In the same year of his 
ian Church of Xew Castle. Mr. Reed is a marriage he moved to Sewickley, Pa., and en- 
Republican in his i)olitical tendencies, and has gaged in teaming there for two years, after 
.served as school director and as auditor of the which he came l<> .Xew Castle, and worked ui 
township. He is at present auditor of the Wash- the iron mills for three more years. He then 
ington Insurance Co., in which he is an inter- .started a draying business, with which he was 
ested .stockholder. He ha.s been a member of connected for some thirty years. In 1887, he 
the I. O. O. F., and also of the I•^-lrmers■ AUi- was elected street conmiissioner of Xew Castle. 
ance. He has always been identified with tiie and served in that cajjacity for five years, and 
best elements of Lawrence County society, and then engaged in the stone business, ni winch he 
he is known as a good, moral citizen, who does is still interested. 

credit to the teachings and precei)ts of his in)ble Our subject's first wife bore him a family of 

father. four children, as follows: Saniantha M. (Wahl); 



<;fi 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



Lizzie (Churchfic-ld); Eva; and Alary ( L'alter- 
son). After tlie death of his first wife, Mr. Nor- 
ris formed a second uni(_)n with Mrs. Mary J. 
r.annon of Xew Castle. The family are regular 
attendants of the M. E. Church, and are in close 
touch with its benevolent and charitable work. 
Politically, our subject is a Republican, and in 
party work is unhestitating. He is a member of 
the A. ( ). U. W. of New Castle. 



RE\'. ERANK RANDOLPH PETERS, 
pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Cliurch at 
Mahoningt()wn, and known and respected over 
the county as one of the best of citizens and as 
an able and consistent teacher of the Gospel, was 
born in Moon township, Allegheny Co., Pa., 
March 6, 1858. Of the four children, who once 
composed the parental family, but two survive — 
William T., a contractor of Sewickley, Pa., an<l 
Mr. Peters, the subject of this sketch. Dr. John 
Thayer Peters, our subject's father, who was a 
son of Ezra Thayer Peters, a farmer, who lived 
to be seventy-three years old, was born in Cuba, 
Allegany Co.. N. Y., where he attended common 
school, and later graduated from the W'illough- 
by Medical College of Northern Ohio. He be- 
gan his practice in Moon township, and in 1858 
moved to Port Perry, where he died at early 
age of typhoid fever; the attack was not very 
serious and he would have recovered there is 
every reason to lielieve had not the attending 
physician, who was a confirmed victim of the 
drink habit, g(_)ne off on one of his periodical 
sprees, just when his ])atient needed his attention 



the most in the very crisis of the disease. Dr. 
Peters' wife was a Miss Sarah Cooper, a daugh- 
ter of William and Esther (Hood nee P)yers) 
Cooper; William Cooper was a native of Ire- 
land, and came to America with his parents at 
the age of eight years, and lived to be ninety- 
four years old. ( )n the death of her husband, 
the mother of our subject with her four small 
children moved to her father's homestead in 
Moon township, wdiere she resided three years 
until 1863, when she married William Grimes, a 
teamster of Sewickley, and went with her chil- 
dren to live with him in that town. 

In Sewickley, oiu" subject lived until his 
eighteenth year, attending the common schools, 
and then took u]) the vocation of a teacher, pre- 
siding over countr)- schools in the winter, and 
during the rest of the year fitting himself for a 
teacher, and eventually for the ministry, by fol- 
lowing out courses of study in academies and 
seminaries, attending at various times the 
Western University of I'ittsburg, the McKees- 
])ort Normal .School, the McKeesport Academy, 
and taught during several years in Elizabeth 
township at Thorn Hill, Reynoldston, Eranklin 
and Leet township. After a term in the Normal 
School at Sewickley, he taught three w^inters in 
Leet township, and in 1881 attended Mt. Union 
College at Alliance, ( )hio. 

In 1879, Mr. Peters was licensed as a local 
preacher of the M. E. Church, and occasionally 
filled pulpits: in the spring of 1882, in answer to 
a call he went to \'olante to fill out the year of 
Rev. Crum, who had died there. At the suc- 
ceeding conference in the fall, he was admitteil 
on trial to the Erie Annual Conference, and was 
assigned to the Greenwood charge, which em- 




WILLIAM H. SMITH 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



6i) 



braced the cluirclics at ( irccnwixid, Cmtoii and 
Savaniiali, and over this circuit he presided for 
two years. Vur tlie three follow int; years he was 
placed ill charjje of the Petersburg charge, and 
ill tliis coiiiiecti(jn he lield services in three dif- 
ferent conferences and two States. Then fol- 
lowed two years at Salem and three years at 
X'olantc, and in the fall of i8y2 he was assifjned 
to the cliars;e of Malioninptown ; when the pres- 
ent conference closes, he will have served the 
full limit of the church regulations, viz.: five 
years. At the conference held in 1897 at t)il 
City he was assignc<l to Brocton, X. V. 

Mr. I'eters is decidedly a builder and organi- 
zer, liefore going to Salem, while on the Peters- 
burg charge, he built a church at F.non N'alley. 
nuring his term at Salem, it was through 
his well-directed efforts that a i)arsonage was 
built, and the same thing was true at X'olante 
during his ministry there. Since coming to Ma- 
honingtown. he has been instrumental in re- 
building the clnirch, and in moving the parson- 
age to its present location, adjoining the church. 
The church edifice has been remodeled and ini- 
])roved, so that it would now be a credit to con- 
gregations ill much larger places than Mahoii- 
ingtown: the old l)uilding was moved to the 
rear, veneered with brick, and a large auditor- 
ium built in front; the old portion of the church 
was replastered and repaired throughout to keep 
it in harmony with the addition, and now the 
whole church edifice is thoroughly modern in 
all its ap])ointments. 

On Oct. 19. 1882, were solemnized tiie mar- 
riage ceremonies that united Mr. Peters and 
Miss Lizzie Anderson, daughter of John Ander- 
son, one of those hardy '49ers wJio made the 



])erilous trip across the western plains and 
mountains, undaunted by the jjcrils of wilder- 
ness and lurking savage. John Anderson mar- 
ried Rose ] Hilton on his return. Three children 
now constitute the household of Mr. Peters and 
his wife: Edith May; Julia Etta; and Frank 
Thayer. Mr. Peters is an earnest supporter of 
the Prohibition party. 



JOUX 1>. S.MITH, a i)n)minent citizen of 
Mahoningtown. who is associated witli liis 
brother. William II. ."-^mitii. in carrying on a 
Hourishing and profitable business in dealing in 
hardware and lumber at Cedar and Cherry 
streets, Mahoningtown, was born in the city of 
Pittsburg, Dec. 21, 185 1. His parents were John 
<;. and Eliza W. (Sample) .^mitli. 

John < I. .Smith was born in Manchester, Eng- 
land, and came to America at ten years of age 
with is mother and step-father, his own father 
having died when he was a comparatively small 
bov. When he grew up he learned the machin- 
ist's trade, and later in life was associated in 
business with his step-father. His death occurred 
in Pittsburg, in March. 1866, when he was aged 
forty-seven years. He was both a member of 
the Masonic fraternity and of the I. O. O. I". 
His wife was bom in Allegheny City, I 'a., and 
was a daughter of Thomas and Margaret 
(Logan) Sample. Thomas .Sample was i)orn in 
what l)ecanu' .\llegheny City, Jan. 8, 1791, and 
was the second mayor of the place, after its 
incorporation under a State charter. T'rom 1812 
till 1843 ''<-' 1'^''-''' '" Allegheny City, and oper- 



70 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

ated a tannery; durinj^ twenty years of the time can War: Alary, the widow of W'ilhani P. 
lie was justice of the peace. In 1843, he leased Eichbauni, now residing in New Castle; 
his tanner\ , and retired to Mahonin.^town, Thomas, who is engaged in farming at Ashville, 
where he l)oiight a large farm, and made it his Ohio; Luther H., whose sketch appears else- 
home the remainder of his life, , devoting his where in this l)Ook as a resident of Mahoning- 
energies to the cultivati<jn i.if fruits and tlowers. town; and Rev. T. Logan. To John ( i. and Eliza 
His father was James Sample, who married W. (Sample) Smith were horn twelve children, 
Christiana Taggart, daughter of James Taggart, of whom four survive; Annie E. ; John D, ; iMar- 
an earlv settler of this part of the State. John garet Agnes; and William Henry. 
G. Smith's wife, Eliza W, (Saniide) Smith, was John I). Smith continued to live in Littshurg 
born March 5, 1794, antl died in 1882; she was for a year after his father died, and then at the 
a granddaughter of James Logan, who was born age of fourteen years came to Mahoningtown; 
in County Down, Ireland, and married a Miss his early education was received in Pittsburg. 
Watt, a relative of the famous James W'att, who anil after he became a resident of Mahoning- 
discovered the wonderful expansive power con- town, he continued to attend school in the win- 
tained in the steam. James Logan, whose lers until he was twenty-one years of age. In 
mother before her marriage was a Miss Wilson, 1873, he went to Pittsburg to learn the carpen- 
came from Ireland, and settled on the banks of ter's trade, but the panic of 73 stopped all 
the Allegheny River, eighteen miles above Pitts- building, and he was forced to return home, 
burg, and establishing Logan's Ferry. He also I'Vom 1874 until 18S9 he worked at his trade in 
purchased some six or eight hundred acres of New Castle, and then came to Mahoningtown, 
land, and opened an inn for the travelers near a where he entered into partnersliij) with his 
basin in the river, which was known as Logan's brother, \\'illiam H., in the lumber and hard- 
Eddy. It was a favorite place of resort for the ware business, in which they still continue to 
rivermen w ho made it a point to stop there on be associated. 

their tri]) for meals and a good night's lodging, W'illiam H. Smith was born in Pittsburg. Oct. 

He also had a well-furnished general store in i. 1859. and lived there untl he was seven years 

connection with his tavern, and the income that old, when he came to Mahoningtown, which has 

came in to him from these diversified interests, since been his home, although absent from it for 

together with his profits in his farming opera- considerable lengths of time. He attended the 

tions. amounted to no inconsiderable amount, Mahoningtown schools, and lieneva College of 

and enabled him to accumulate a large and inde- Northwood, Ohio, until he was nineteen years 

pendent fortune. His death took place 011 his of age, when he began teaching, and presided at 

estate at an advanced age in 1842. Eive of the the desk for some three winters. He next was 

ten children, born to Thomas Sample and wife, employed in Pittsburg l)y the Allegheny \'alley 

live and followdng is a record of their names and R. R. for some six months, and then secured a 

employments: James A., a veteran of the Mexi- ])osition with the Cliautau(|ua Lake Ice Co. at 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COCXTY. 71 

I'ittsburfj, uitli which i()m|)aii\ Ik- rciiiaiiK-d ARCH 1 1'ALI ) 1). X i:\\KLL and J( )IL\ 1 ). 

three years. After a few montlis in Nirtjinia with 1". XF.WTlLL. i)ri)niincnt citizens and intiiiential 

the Xorfolk & Wt'stern R. R., lie left f(5r Robins, residents of Mahoningtown horoujjh. are sons of 

Tenn., where for two years he enjoyed steady Arcliil)ald and Mary L. (I'risbee) Xewell. Their 

eiiiiiloNiuent in tlie hiniber business. Returning^ fatlier was born in County Down, Ireland, in 

to .Malioniufjtown in tlie sprinjj of i8<S7, lie i8i 5. and wlien twenty years of ag;e came to this 

o|)ened a hmiber yard on Clierry Street, wliidi country, making his way to Pittsburg, where lie 

he conducted ahjne two years, and then formed became employed on the surveying cor])s of the 

the ])arnership with his l)rotlier, before spoken canal through the Mahoning \alley. Event- 

of. Tlie firm deals in all the staple lumber, hard- ually. he settled in Mahoningtown as one of its 

ware, and other customary building material, for earliest citizens. He was for many years the 

which there is so great a call in a growing com- pn,|)rietor of the leading store in that place, but 

munitv; contract(irs and builders recognize in at last retired from active work, leaving his busi- 

them an exceptional ])air nf keen business men. ness to his .sons, and calmly passed away from 

who make it a chief aim of their business to keep earthly scenes in 1887, with a consciousness of 

everything needful, and have that of the best, having lived his life nobly and well. His father. 

William H. was married in Kast I'.rook, l^w- .Archibald Xewell. Sr., lived the whole of his 

rence Co., I'a.. Nov. 20. 1895. ''^' Xannie .-Xngus, life in Ireland, whore his death took place, when 

daughter of Robert an<l Jane (Sankey) .Angus, he was agctl ninety-nine years. Of si.x children 

and to tiiem has ))een born one daughter, Kath- born to .Archibald .Xewell, jr., but two survive — 

leen. He and his wife are members of the I'res- -Archibald 1). and John D. l". 

byterian Church, and he is a member of Amazon The mother of our subjects was bom in I^itls- 

Lodge. No. 336. Knights of Psthias of Mahon- burg, and was a daughter of Samuel and Jane 

ingtown. ( Davis) Frisbee. .Samuel Frisbee was a native 

John D. Smith is a member of Lodge of the of the State of Connecticut, where he was born 

Craft, F'. t^- A. M.. Xo. 433 of Xew Castle, and is in 1772: he was married the first lime in Xew 

included among the members and willing work- Haven to a Miss St. John, and after her decease. 

ers of the Presbyterian Church. he came to Pittsburg in i8oij, in tlie interest of 

F.oth brothers are Republicans in their polit- Robert Fulton, and was instrumental in building 

ical tendencies. When the Mahoningtown bank the first fleet of steamers that plied the Western 

was established, both brothers took stock, and rivers. In Pittsburg, he was united to Jane Davis. 

William H. was appointed cashier, a position he whose father, William Davis, owned the land 

still holds. on uhicii stands tlie village of Davisville. now a 

•A portrait of William H. Smith ajjpears on suburb of .Allegheny City. l)ut then located what 

a preceding page and will be viewed with seemd a long distance in the country. William 

interest by all who have the pleasure of his Davis was the ])roprietor of some 600 acres of 

accpiaintance. land in the rich bottoms, and provided each of 



72 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



his four sons and three daughters with a valu- 
able farm. He married Jane Johnson, a native 
of Counts Tyrone, Ireland, whose brother. 
.Samuel fohnson, was the first silversmith to lo- 
cate in Pittsburg. Samuel Davis, a son of the 
aforesaid William Davis, learned the trade of 
silversmith in the shop of his uncle, Samuel 
Johnson, and afterwards took to manufacturing 
clocks, and many tine, old specimens of tall hall 
clocks, bearing his naiuc, are in existence at the 
present dav thrcmgh the ( )hio \ alley. William 
Davis was a native o{ Ireland, and came to this 
country in 1801. landing at Xew \'ork City, 
after a long and tedious sea voyage. ( )n the 
passage the vessel sailed by a far southern route, 
and touched at Fayall, the largest of the Azores, 
and while there the Consul presented Airs. 
Davis with a plume of spun glass of a rich wine 
color, that is treasured very highly by her grand- 
daughter, Mrs. Newell, the mother of our sttb- 
jects. 

Archiliald D. Xewell was born in Mahiniing- 
town, Jan. 3, 1858, and was reared in his native 
borough, securing a practical education in the 
schools of Mahoningtown. and in the private 
schools of New Castle; this splendid foundation 
was supplemented w'ith a course in the New Cas- 
tle Business College. At an early age he took 
his place liehind the counter in his father's store, 
and u])on the latter's retirement from Inisiness, 
Archibald D. became one of the firm of Newell 
Ilros.. which succeeded to the former firm. He 
did not long retain his interest in the store, but 
sold out, and took a trip to Colorado for his 
health, from which place he returned to Penn- 
sylvania after several months "roughing it" on 
a hunting expedition. He then became a clerk 



in the store of his uncle, J. D. Frisbee, at Cor- 
nellsville, where he remained six years. On his 
return to Mahoningtown at the expiration of his 
stay in Cornellsville, he was employed a few- 
months in the offices of the I'eiuisylvania Co. 
at Lawrence Junction, (hi July 12, 18^3, he 
was api)ointed postmaster of Alahoningtown. 
He was married in '^'oungstown, Ohio, June 17, 
1895, to Miss Minie Lemlie. daughter of C. 
Lenilie, the proprietor of the large carriage 
works of Youngstown. Mrs. Newell is a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church. Politicallv, Arch- 
bald D. Newell is a stanch and loyal Democrat, 
and socially is a member of the Knights of 
Pythias, and has been advanced to the Uni- 
formed Rank. 

John D. 1'. Newell was born in .Mahoning- 
town. .\])ril 28, i860. His childhood was passed 
in Mahoningtown, and his education included 
the instruction imparted to him in the pub- 
lic schools, in the high school of New Castle, 
and in (ieneva College of Northwood, Ohio. 
As a last finishing touch, and as a fitting prepar- 
ation for a business life, he took a course in 
Duff"s P.usiness College of Pittsburg. When 
but a mere lad of but ten or twelve summers, 
he began clerking in his father's store, and has 
grown up in the business, his whole career hav- 
ing been identified with mercantile pursuits. In 
1882, with his brother, he purchased his father's 
store and business, which was conducted under 
the firm name of Newell Bros, until 1888, when 
John secured the entire control of the store, and 
has since figured as its sole proprietor. The 
store is the largest of its kind in Mahoningtown, 
and the stock carried, in quality and neat dispo- 
sition, would do credit to stores in cities of many 



BUUK or BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 73 

times Malioniiigto\vii"s size, and. in consci|itencc, nioved his family thirty-one times. At tlie out- 
Mr. Newell enjoys a large patronage from his break of the war. lie was in Xorth Carolina, and 
felloV-townsnien and the residents of the sur- lost all of his property because of the war. When 
rounding country. He was married in Mahon- peace was established, he worked for the Fort 
ingtown, Oct. 24, j88y, to Miss Helen Sword, a Wayne R. R. at Wooster. Clinton and Ma.ssil- 
native of New Castle Junction, and daughter of Ion. Ohio, and in 1871 went to Arkansas, and 
John and Xancy (Shields) Sword, who were of from there to Maryland. 1 Te then i)rei)ared the 
Scotch-Irish descent. To Mr. Xewell and his road-bed for the I'ittsburg & Allegheny R. R. in 
wife has been born one daughter, Sarah S. Mrs. 1873, he ceased his work as a contractor, and 
Xewell is a member of the Presbyterian Church, bought a farm and hotel at Eden Mills, \t., 
Mr. Xewell is a Democrat in politics, and a where he resided until the death of his wife. He 
member of Amazon Lodge. Xo. 135. Knights of then sold his projjerty in the Green Mountain 
Pythias, of Mahoningtown. State, and made his home in Wooster, Ohio, 
Messrs. Xewell have distinguished themselves from which he moved to Oakmont. I'a.. where 
as excellent business men, and public-spirited he lived until his death in 1889. To our subject's 
citizens, for whom nothing is more i^leasant parents were born six children, of whom only 
than the performing of some useful service for two are living now; the record reads as follows: 
the community. They are blessed with exceii- Clara, deceased: John, deceased; two that died 
tionai talents in every branch of a broad culture in infancy: A. 'Jalcott. the subject of this brief 
and so take a high ])lace in society and politics, personal history: and .Nellie, who lives in Ver- 
mont. 

Our subject's childhood and youth knew no 
special locality as home, for it was spent in some 
thirteen States, in which his father was at vari- 

A. TALCOTT SCXVPT. a resident of Mahon- ous times engaged in railroad work; he attended 

ingtown. and an employee of the V. & W. R. R., school in Pennsylvania, ( )hio, and \'ermont. At 

is a native of Keene, X. H., where he was born the early age of twelve he began work with his 

March 6, 1859. His parents were Denjamin and father, and was assoicatcd with him from then 

Caroline (Smith) Scott, the latter born in Lon- imtil the hitter's retirement from active work in 

donderry,\'t., July 30, 1825, a daughter of Hiram contracting. From the time already indicated, 

Smith, a farmer of the Green Mountain State, when father and son ceased contracting, Mr. 

who was born in 1800, and died at the age of Scott lived in X'erniont until i8Sj, when he came 

seventy-live. Benjamin Scott was born in Crafts- to Pennsyh ania. and has been connected with 

bury, \'t., Aug. 2, 1824, and was a contractor work on the railroad in Oakmont, Youngstown, 

of railroad work the most of his life. He had and Akron, Ohio. Since 1886, he has been in 

contracts in all of the States east of the Missis- the employ of the I'. & \\'. R. R.. and has had 

sippi River, and in a period of thirty years his residence in Mahoningtown, where he has 



74 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 

won an enviable position in the niin<ls of liis When Jacob was an infant, his parents moved 
fellow-citizens, and bears an unblemished record to Allegheny City, which continued to be his 
for intetiritv and faithful ])erfi irniance of duties, home until he was six or seven years of age, 
He is an enthusiastic advocate of organization when his father and mother moved to Xew Cas- 
in railroad circles, and holds a membership in tie. where our subject attended school. When 
Anchor Lodge, Xo. 217, ( )rder of Railway Con- aixjut ten years of age, he entered the nut and 
ductors. bolt fact()ry at Xew Castle as a helper in many 
He was joined in marriage Sept. 3, 1882, to subordinate capacities, and for three or four 
Ella O'Brian. who was born in Alontgomery, years continued to occujiy inferior places, as his 
\t.. a daughter of Thomas and Isabel (Stratton) age did not fit him to take more responsible 
O'Brian. ( )ne child, A. Talcott, Jr., is the sole jiositions. When about fourteen years of age, 
issue of this union. Mrs. Scott is a member of he became a bolt cutter in the factory at a satis- 
thc Presbyterian Church. Mr. Scott is affiliated factory increase of wages, and for five years 
with the Democratic jjarty in his political views, worked as a cutter. When nineteen years of 
and takes a liveh' interest in local matters of age. he learned engineering, and in the year fol- 
interest. He is a memlier of Amazon Lodge, lowing went to St. Ignace, Mich., (in the Straits 
Xo. 336, Knights of Pxthias. of Malumingtown. of Mackinac, where for ten years he was em- 
ployed at his trade. Xew Castle, as the place of 
his bovhood vears, and as the home of his par- 
ents and Ijrothcrs and sisters, continued to be 
verv dear to him, and his interest in the city was 
JACOB COLXOT, master mechanic ar the kept alive by fre(|uent visits home during this 
works of the Xorway Iron and Steel Co. of Xew period. In 1892 he returned to Xew Castle, and 
Castle, and residing at Xo. 121 Pearson Street, secured remunerative employment at the Aetna 
that citv, was born Sept. 7, 1858, and is a son of Furnace, where he worked two years. Since 
Julian and Marian Colnot, botli of whom were that time he was employed about two years as 
born in Germany, but reared in France. Julian a master mechanic in the Arethusa Iron Works, 
Colnot was born May 31, 1826. the son of John owned by George W. Johnson of Xew Castle, 
and Anna Maria Colnot. and came with his wife In 1897 he accepted a position with the Xorway 
to America in 1854. John Colnot was seven Iron and Steel Co. as master mechanic. 
_\ears in the French Army, and served under the Mr. Colnot was married Jan. 20, 1887, at St. 
great Xapoleon. ( )ur subject's father learned Ignace. Mich., to Mary Agnes Martin of Arte- 
the tailor's trade, at which he worked many misia Co., Pa., daughter of Agnes and Christine 
years in Xew Castle; he is now retired from (McLean) Martin, both natives of .Scotland. Mrs. 
active working, enjoving a well-earned rest in Colnot is an attendant of the Presbyterian 
his declining vears at the home of his youngest Church. Our sul)ject is an independent Demo- 
son. Nicholas, on C)ak Street, Xew Castle. crat in politics. 




DR. MONTGOMERY LlNViLLE. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



1 1 



J()HX C. MILLER, well-known resident of art, lie worked extra lor a year and a hall, and 

Moravia, Taylor township, and agent for the on \ov. 17, 1886, was apjxiinted oin-rator at Car- 

r. & L. E. R. R. at that point, was born in Slien- hon. where he was two months, and then at 

anpo township, March 7, 1861, and is a son of \\ain])nn), where he was kept six months. He 

Samuel and Nancy (Wilson) Miller. Samuel was transferred to Moravia in August, 1887, as 

Miller was horn in Moon township, lieaver Co., agent, and has acceptably tilled the office 

I'a., March 17, i8_^4. and was a son of John ever since, in a manner highly jjleasing to both 

.Miller, a shoe-maker by trade, who married employers and the patrons of the station, and 

Mary Minor, daughter of Samuel and Jennie his wise adjustment of afTairs and intelligent 

(Crimes) Minor, the latter a native of Ireland, service in the interests of the conipanv reflect 

John Miller was a son of Henry and ICva (Rider) greatly to his credit. He is a member of the 

Miller. Henry Miller was born in (iermany, ( ). R. T. The family all attend the Presbyterian 

where he served in the army. The mother of Church. In political belief he is a Republican 

our subject was born in I'.eaver County, near and holds the office of township auditor, 
the village of Alicpiiiipa, l'"eb. 15, 1840. and was 
a daughter of John and Jane (I-airdi Wilson. 
John Wilson was a son of John Wilson, Sr., who 
married Nancy Irwin. Jane Laird was born in 

Ireland, a daughter of .Aleaxnder and Elizabeth ])K. MONTCIDMERV LINVILLl':, a lead- 
(Hawthornel Laird. There were born to our sub- jng and very .successful physician of the city of 
jcct's parents eleven children, namely: Mary Xe\v Castle, was born near Independence, 
Ida. the wife of James E. Sankey: John C, the Washington, I'a.. March 9, 1854, and is a son of 
subject of this personal sketch: Harry W., a Jeremiah P. and Martha J. (Montgomery) Lin- 
farmer near Moravia; James, who died at the ville, and grandson of Joseph Linville. 
age of two years: Clara J. (Mrs. W. A. Mc- Our subject's father was reared and educated 
Mahon), now deceased; Thaddeus, who died in to agricultural pursuits, and followed the same 
infancy; Homer S., a telegraph operator on the iIr- greater jiart of his life, spending the last 
P. & W. R. R.; Ellen, who married Harry Hct- twenty years of his life in retirement in New 
tenbaugh; Nettie B.; Roy C; and Grace. tastle, Pa. He died at the age of seventy-three, 

John C. Miller was reared in Shenango town- survived by his wife, Martha, who was a 

ship, attending the schools in Warnock district, sister of William .Montgomery, and one son, 

and in Wurtemberg, and the Princeton and our subject. 

Grove City Colleges until he was twenty-two Dr. Linville obtained his preliminary educa- 

years of age. He turned his attention to tele- tion in the district schools of Washington, com- 

graphy and at the age of twenty-three set out to pleted a collegiate course of study in Bethany 

master it in the railroad office at Moravia. College, and pursued his medical studies at Jcf- 

When he had become sufficiently adept at the ferson Medical College, Philadeli)hia. He 



78 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAU'REA'CE COUNTY. 

graduated as a mcniljcr of the class oi 1S-3. and SAMUEL A. liARNKS, an engineer in tiie 
altliougli but nineteen years of age he at once employ of the P. & W. 1\. K., resicHng at JNlahon- 
conmienced the practice of his ])rofession. locat- ingtown. was liorn in Fredericksljurg, Wayne 
ing in I'rinceton, I'a., and remaining there five CountA', ( )hio. Jini. 21, 1858, and is a son of 
months and a half, when he came to Xew Castle, Henry Clinton and Matilda A. (Hutchinson) 
where he has made his home since. iiarnes. llenry C. Barnes was horn in hred- 
In 1873, he married Delia Chapman, and they ericksbnrg, (Jhio, in 1832, and at this writing is 
were permitted to enjoy two short sweet years of leading a retired life on the outskirts of Freder- 
hajipv married life, she dying in 1875, and ickshurg. where he owns a large and well-im- 
leaving him to hear life's 'trials and disappoint- proved farm, over which he still has the super- 
ments alone. vision. I'lesides taking a ])rominent place among 
He is a fit representative of the medical ]iro- his fellow-townsmen as a snccessfvd anil progres- 
fcssion of Lawrence (.'ountw and a gentleman sive agriculturist, he has for manv wars dealt 
who has attained ])r(.)minence as a practitioner by in all kinds of farm machinery as a s])ecial agent, 
carefully diagnosing his cases, and bringing that During the latter part of the War, he served in 
skill to bear in their treatment, which he is the army as a recruit under the hundred days' 
enabled Xo do bv vears of careful study and call. He is a inend>er of the ( 1. .A.. K. Post of 
constant practice. His indisputed and jirofound J'rederciksburg. ]n his |)olitical views he is a 
knowledge of his profession, and the large sue- Republican. In religious matters he affiliates 
cess, which he has won by his persevering Indus- with the Congregational Church, although 
try and attention to business, have .given to him reared as a Presbyterian. He was a son of Peter 
the standing and ]irestige he so richly merits, and Margaret ((juthrie) Barnes, the latter a 
His office is at Xo. 33 Xorth Mercer. He is daughter of Joseph Guthrie, who attained the 
railway surgeon for the W. N. Y. & P. R. R., age of ninety years. Peter Barnes, who was a 
and is a member of the National Association of farmer by occupation, was a native of West- 
Railway Surgeons. He is a member of the moreland Co., Pa., and died in Fredericksburg, 
Lawrence Countv Medical Society, and the at the age of seventy-seven. He was a son of 
State Association of Physicians and Surgeons. Henry Barnes, who it is thought was of .Scotch- 
He is prominent in Alasonic circles, and is a Irish descent. ( )ur subject's mother was born 
nieml)er of the Knights Templar of Xew Castle, in hredericksburg. ( )hio, and was a daughter 
Mahoning Lodge. Xo. 243, F. & A. M.: Delta of Jimpsey Hutchinson, who was a carpenter by 
Chapter No. 170. R. A. ]\1.: and Xew Castle trade, but supported himself in tiie latter years 
Commandery. As a leading exinjnent of correct of his life by farming. He died at the age of 
medical jiractice. and as a man in every way seventy-eight, after a life singvdarly free from 
worthy of the most ini(|ualified esteem and illness; the sickness that preceded his death was 
regard, we have placed Dr. Linville's piirtrait on the onl\- sickness. he ever had: at his death every 
a ])receding page. tooth was in his head, sound and perfect. He 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. T-,t 

moved from his Ijirth-placc in Pennsylvania to Uora M.; Belle, deceasetl; and Sylvia. ( )ur 
Wayne Co., (Jhio, about 1811 or 1812, and was subject and wife attend religious services in the 
one of the first settlers of that county. He was M. E. Church. Mr. Barnes has been a life-long 
descended from a sturdy and roljust line of Republican, and always stands ready to aid his 
Scotch-Irish ancestry. party, when it is in his power. He is a member 
Our subject attended the district schools of of Amazon Lodge, Xo. 336, Knights of Pythias, 
I'redericksburg until he was nineteen years of of ^^ahoningtown: and Brotherhood of Loco- 
age, when he went to Jacksonville, Fla., where motive Engineers, Mahoningtown Division, 
he was engaged in the hardware business until 
1880. Returning to Ohio in that year, he inter- 
ested himself in the lumber business in Freder- 
icksburg, where he remained in business until 

1888, when he disposed of the stock and trade, JAMES A. (".AR]:)NER, the city attorney of 
and came to Mahoningtown to accept a position \\.\v Castle, and a prominent citizen and lawyer 
as fireman on the P. & W. R. R. After two of the county, was born Jan. 12, 1843, in Butler 
years in that position, in which time he made the Co., Pa., just across the Lawrence County line, 
best of his op])ortunities and rendered himself on the old homestead of which the larger por- 
capable of running an engine himself, he took tion lay in Lawrence County. His great-grand- 
his place at the tiirottle in iSi;o. and has since father, John Gardner, was born near Belfast, 
tliat time acceptably au<l creditably fullilled the Ireland, and inunigrated to this countrv soon 
work expected of him. serving as engineer on after his marriage with Jane Anderson. He 
different divisions of the road. The locomotive bought a tract of land just at the edge of the 
engineers are among the best citizens of the county, which was at that time Beaver County, 
country, for their vocation demands staid, sober and followed the pursuits of agriculture the rest 
habits, a high order of intelligence, combined of his life, his death occurring at the advanced 
with a readiness to solve knotty problems, and age of ninety-three years. He became a very 
a wonderful adherence to duty, which often well-to-do farmer, and l)y hard work and e.xcel- 
leads them to risk or even sacrifice their own lent judgment and foresightedness he accunni- 
lives that the lives of those placed in their charge lated considerable ])roperty. and at his death 
may be safe. left the homestead intact to his son James (lard- 
Mr. Barnes was united in marriage in 1-Ved- ner. wlio lived on it all his life, filling his i)lacc 
ericksburg, Ohio. Xov. i, 1883. to Miss Rosetta in the community as a farmer, and dying at the 
Miller, who was born in Waverly, Ohio, a age of ninety. His wife, Catherine .McComb, 
daughter of Robert and Mary Miller. Mrs. reared him the following children: John; 
Miller died Aug. 28, 1897, age 70. Mrs. l^iarnes deorgc \\'.; \\'illiam: Robert A.; Jane (Stew- 
has borne her husband an interesting family of art): Martha (l-razier): Isabella (iUirnside); and 
six children: I'rank; Robert ^L; Beatrice: Eliza .\. (I'Vew). 



so 



BOOK or BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



John (lardner, tlu- eldest son, and tlie father the army as a private, and served initil the close 

of our subject, inherited that portion of the of the war, being mustered out June 9, 1865. as 

liomestead that la\ in I'.ntler County, where he a first lieutenant. Returning from the scene of 

was engaged in farming and in following tlie fratricidal strife. Air, ( iardner became interested 

occupation of a drover until his death at the age in the mercantile business at Princeton, ]^a., and 

of thirty-three. He married jane \'ance, daugh- ke])t a store for six years. He served as a jus- 

ter of James A'ance of Lawrence County; she tice of the peace, and his introduction t<i legal 

was born in 1820, and dietl in 1864. Five chil- forms and legal ]>rocedure in that position 

dren were liorn of this union, as follows: James created a desire on his ])art to studv law. 1n 

A., our subject; John \'.: .Mima ((iardneri, de- 1874, he gave up his mercantile business, and 

ceased; Theodore L, ; and (ieorge R. became a student of law under Judge John Mc- 

James A. ( iardner attended the district schoiil, Michael, and ]. AI. Alartin of New Castle, and 
select schools and the academy, and put the edu- was admitted to the bar of the State of Penn- 
cation thus obtained to good service in teaching sylvania in 1876. He immediately began his 
two terms of school. On July Ji, 1861, he en- practice, opening an office at 136^ East Wash- 
listed for the war in I'attery 1!., hirst Reg. Art. ington Street, which has continued to be his 
of the Pennsylvania Reserves Volunteer Corps, headquarters ever since for the reception of his 
which battery was connn(jnly known as Cooper's many clients and for the transaction of such 
Battery, and was attached to the Army of the business as usually come before a leading law- 
Potomac, and belonged first to the First Corps, }'er. He has Iieen very successful in his profes- 
and then to the h'ifth. He was engaged in the sion, and the court records of LawTence Coun- 
follovving of the princijial battles of the Armv of ty, and of other neighboring ccnmties of the 
the Potomac, viz,: Drainsville, Alechanicsville, State, bear eloi|uent testimony to his skill, and 
Gaines Alills, Glendale, or Charles City Cross- to his intimate aci|uaintance with legal j^roce- 
Rtjads, Alalvern Hill Gainesville, Grove- dure. He is a thorough Republican, and has 
ton. Second P)ull Run, Chantillv, South Aloun- served eight years on the school board and 
tain, Antietam, l'"redericksl)urgh, Fitzhugh's seven years in the cit_\- council, four of which 
Crossing , Chancellorsville, ( jett\'sburgh. Aline years mark the period when he officiated as 
Run, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Po River, Spott- president of the latter municipal organization, 
sylvania C. H., Xi^rth Aima River, Piethesda He has also served as city attorney several 
Church, Tolopotoniy. Cold Harbor, Peters- years, and is serving in that capacity at this 
burgh, Weldon Railroad, siege and capture of writing. 

Petersburgh, Appomattox C. H., his batter}- Mr. Gardner married Alary E. Frew, daugh- 

having been in nine out of twelve of the great- ter of David Frew of Slippery Rock township, 

est battles o[ the war, and has the record of There have been born to them the following 

having lost more men in the service than an}- chiklren: David A.; Flora Al. (\'ance); Nancy; 

other volunteer battery. (Jur subject entered and John AI. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COl'XTV. SI 

HENRY C. AL15URX is a representative seven years uld, when liis parents came to Amer- 

farnier of Shenantjn tnwnslii]). and resides on his ica. He was sent to school in Beaver Connty, 

farm on lot Xo. 65. Donation Land. Shenanijo and continued to be a quite regular pupil until 

township, about four miles south of tiie city of he was seventeen years of age, from which age 

New Castle. .Mr. Allxini conies from the tier- until he was twenty-two years old he remainetl 

man I-'atiierland, that proud old empire which under the parental roof, and worked for his 

has contributed to the Inited States so many father. He then began life for himself, renting 

of the best and most substantial citizens of tiie at first a farm from his father in Perry township, 

countrv. He was born in the village of I'uers- Lawrence County, which he operated for three 

tenhaagen, Xov. 7, 1839, and is a son of Angus- years. He then bought seventy-five acres in 

tus and Christiana ( F.lias) Alborn. I'Vanklin township near his father, where he 

( )ur subject's mother was born near I'uersten- lived and labored for ten years. In 1874 he 

haagen, where her |)arenls lived and died, bought his present farm of ninety-six acres in 

Augustus Alborn was a miller when a resilient Shenango township, on which are standing a 

of Ciermany. He set sail from Bremen for .\mer- tine l)rick house and substantial out-buildings, 

ica in .Kugust, 1846, and after a long sea voyage Mr. Alborn devotes his time and attention to 

of fifty-one days in a sailing vessel, he landed at general mi.xed farming, and to the manufacture 

lialtimore, Md. l-'rom that city he came direct of cider, having a large steam-power press in a 

to Pittsburg, and thence to Beaver County to convenient location on the homestead. He has 

the home of kinsfolks, who had preceded him to planted choice trees, kept fences and buildings 

the New World which was so rich in promise in e-xcellent repair, and everything in and about 

to the Old World emigrant. After living two the premises betokens the existence of thrift and 

months with relatives, Mr. Alborn purchased a prosperity. He is favored with a good, physical 

farm of fifty-five acres in Franklin township, constitution, and combines strictness of moral 

Beaver County, and with true CicrmaTi thrift principles with energy and decision of character, 

soon began adding to it, first by a purchase of winning honorable success in l)usiness, and 

ten acres, and then by a subsequent purchase of securing a competence as a product of personal 

forty acres adjoining, making altogether a farm industry and good judgment put forth in a field 

of 105 acres. Later on, he bought another farm wisely selected. 

of fifty acres near by, and took up his residence On ^L^rch 14. 1861, Mr. .\lborn was joined in 

on the latter farm, renting his former home, but marriage with Miss Caroline Young, who was 

still cultivating the land. His death occurred in born in the village of Deutchweiler, Rheinfahls, 

December, 1885. when he was aged seventy- Baiern, one of the provinces of Germany, and 

eight years. He and his wife were members of was a daughter of John and Mary (Mueller 1 

the Lutheran Church. \'omig, the latter a daughter of George Jacob 

Henry C. Alborn, the eldest of five children, .Mueller, a tailor by trade, who lived and died in 

three of whom were born in Germanv, was Clermanx . Jnlm N'oung came to the I nited 



82 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



Stales in 1852. sailing from Havre, April _^. and resides m Sharpsville, following the pattern- 
reaching New York City in twenty-six days. maker's trade. Keligionsly he is a member of 
He came direct to Heaver Connty. where an the I'.aplist Church. lie is a Prohibitionist in 
tmcle had preceded him. and for the first year his ])olitical affiliations, and his opinions on 
after his ani\al rented ;i house, and worked at \'arious ])liases of the liquor question are clear- 
wliat his hands cntdd find to do, becoming cut and decided: he has served eight years as 
ac(|uainted with the .Vnu'rican language and school director, and has likewise tilled accept- 
American customs in the meantime. In 1853, he ably the office of tax collector. He is a member 
bought a fifty-six acre tract of land and l)egan of the Royal Templars of Temperance, 
improving it: this continued to lie his home until ( )ur suliject's parents lived in Jamestown un- 
his death in 1858. when aged fifty-two years. ill he was four years of age, when thev moved 
Of a family of four born to her |)arents, Mrs. to Conneautville, where thev made their home 
Alborn was the third in seniority. ( )ur sul)ject's seven years, returning then to Jamestown, 
union with his estimable wife, has resulted in six ]->ank .\. attended the schools of the two towns 



children — Marv Amelia, deceased; Caroline, the 



at odd intervals imtil his eighteenth vear, for 



whose sketch appears elsewhere in this Rook 
of Biographies: Henry: Tillie: an<l I'rank. Mr. 



wife of Rev. Ivan Dietrich of .\llegheny City, from an early age he su])]iortcd himself, and was 
to whom she has presented four children — Theo- unable to devote what time he might have 
dore, Hilda, Luther, and Herman: Charles I'"., wished to the acc|niring of an education. As 

early as fourteen years of age, he worked out 
for his Ijoard and schooling for a farmer, who 
and Mrs. Alliorn with their family are members lived near Jamestown, with whom he remained 
of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Alborn is a two year.s. l^'or a like jjcriod he worked in a 
Democrat in ])olitics. hotel, attending school during the sessions. Be- 

tween the ages of eighteen and twenty he was 
in the employ of his father in the planing-mill 
at Jamestown, and in 1881 he went to Ashta- 
bula Harbor, where for a year he was employed 
FRAXK X. TRL'ESDALE, an engineer on in the planing mill. He then acepted a position 
the Pennsylvania Co.'s lines, living at Mahon- on the Pennsylvania R. R., and has been in the 
mgtown, was born in lamestown. Pa., C)ct. 26, emjjloy of that railroad ever since. Even before 
i860, and is a son of C. L. and Maria (Housel) this he had seen something of railroad life, for 
Truesdalc: the fiirmer was born in P^>rookfield, during his twelfth and thirteenth years he was a 
Ohio, ]\Larch 5, 1833,- and the latter in Ivlin- newsboy on the trains. In 1882, he secured a 
borough, I'>ie Co., Pa., ^NFay ly. i83i>. During i)Osition as fireman on the P. Y. & A. R. R., a 
his residence in Jamestown, the father of our branch of the Pennsylvania Co."s lines, and on 
subject ran a pl;niing-mill seven years as an Oct. 28, 1887, he was promoted to the post of 
operative, and live } ears as the owner. He now engineer, making his first run two davs later. 






EZEKIEL R. SANKEY. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAW'REXCE COUNTY. S:. 

This elevation in rank came quite unexpectedly. l"anny (.Meisner) l-'ox. Mr. Fo.x is a successful 

for on tlie day previous to his promotion the en- merchant of Ashtalnila. thouo;h formerly of 

ginc which Mr. Truesdale was firing was in a Sheffield. "To Mr. Truesdale and his wife two 

head-end collision, and was completely wrecked; children have heen given: Clyde, and Edna, 

his cool-headed conduct through this occurrence Mrs. Truesdale is a member of the Methodist 

was highlv commended hy his engineer to the Church, and regular in her attendance upon 

superior officers of the road, that on the follow- divine worship. Mr. Truesdale, although he 

ing morning he was called up. not having the has not the time to take a very active interest 

slightest idea of what was coming, and was in- in politics, whether local or national, is a loyal 

formed that he should consider him.self as one of Republican, and at every legitimate opportunity 

the company's trusted engineers thereafter. \\\ does what he can to advance Republican prin- 

his long years of faithful service he has shown ciples. 
himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him. 

and is now considered one of the best engineers — -e.*^*- 
on the road. His record, which in its way is quite 

une(iualled, .shows that he has not failed to draw KZEKIEL R. SAXKEY, a well-known, re- 
his wages on pay-day since he became an en- tired citizen of New Castle, who has contributed 
gineer, or in fact since i88j. and has suffered largelv to the growth and development of the 
but one suspension. He is a prominent mem- flourishing city, of which he is now an honored 
ber of Brotherhood circles, and most loyal in resident, has dealt more extensively in real 
his devotion to the cause of united labor; he is estate than any other man in the city, and owns 
a member of the B. of E. E.. W. L. Scott Divi- at the present time a large amount of property 
sion. No. 298 of Erie, of which division he is the in Iniilding lots and dwelling-houses. He was 
local collector; he organized the Mahoning horn in the township. Dec. 9. 1817. and is a son 
Lodge of the B. of L. I^ in 1890. and is one of of William and Hannah (Ricketts) Sankey. 
the charter members. grandson of Ezekiel and Jane (Lulhertson) 
Mr. Truesdale has twice been joineil in mat- Sankey, and great-grandson of William Sankey. 
rimony. His first wife, Marv Leonard, a native The latter, of whom little positive is known, as 
of Turner's, Pa., whom he married in James- he died early in life, was a farmer by occujiation. 
town, died Nov. 30, 1884. Of the two children, and lived and died in the eastern part of the 
who were the fruit of this union, Bessie, the State. His children were: William : Jolm ; Jen- 
elder, died in infancy, and Harry William niakes nie; Annie; Rachel; listher; and Ezekiel. 
Iiis home with his grandparents in Sharpsville. Our subject's grandfather, Ezekiel Sankey, 
Mr. Truesdale's second marriage took place at settled in Mercer County, and became its .second 
JefTerson. .Ashtabula Co.. Ohio. Sept. 16. 1886. sherifif; he was a'pojjular man with all classes, 
the bride being Miss Jennie Fox. who was born and progressive in his ideas. He served as major 
in Sheffield, Ohio, a daughter of Henry and in the War of 181 2. and died .\'ov. 27, 1813. His 



8f. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



wife fell into that last sleep, the balm for all sor- 
row and pain on earth, at the age of ninety-four. 
They reared the foll(j\viny family of chihh'en; 
\\'illiani: Sarah; Ann; jane; Joseph; Ji_)hn Rid- 
dle; janu-s; David; Ezekiel; and 'rhe(j(locia. 

U'illiam, the eldest son, was born Xov. 27, 
1794, and, receiving, a [jortion of his father's 
estate, he followed farming on the homestead all 
his life, dying Nov. 27, 1860. His wife was 
abont sixty years old when she died jnly 12, 
1849. I'ive children were born to them, as fol- 
lows: Ezekiel K.; Joseph; Thomas F. ; Eliza- 
beth: and Jane A. 

In his boyhood, our subject imprcived what- 
ever chances were offered him in the way of an 
education in. the district schools, and assisted his 
father in the cultivation of the farm; in early 
manhood, he learned the carpenter's trade, and 
then that of cabinet-maker, and, desiring to be 
more than a farmer, to extend his life in other 
directions, he started on a Western tour, work- 
ing at his trade at various places. Many of the 
Western States were visited b}' him, but to his 
mind none were so progressive as his own native 
State, and he accordingly returned home, 
bought the homestead, built a new house and 
barns. After he had accumulated sufficient 
capital, he entered into the business of contract- 
ing and building; he then moved to New Castle 
and bought five acres at the lower end of South 
Mill Street, wdiich he laid out in lots, erected 
buildings on them, and sold at an advance value, 
having become one of the liest mechanics and 
builders of his section of the countv. He was 
engaged to go to Lowell, (Jhio, where he helped 
to construct the first blast furnace ever linilt in 
tliis jiart of the country: later lie built the (ireen- 



ville furnace, and gained such an excellent repu- 
tation at that business, that for several years he 
profitably followed the business of building and 
repairing furnaces. He then purchased the 
Thomas Rice estate, wdiich was located at No. 
370 West Washington Street, and l.milt an ele- 
gant and commodious brick house, where he has 
since lived. Having several acres, he laid it out 
into lots, with the streets and walks complete, 
erected houses, and has sold a great part of it. 
Ik- has Ijought and sold nian\ other lots in New 
Castle, being interested in twenty-three houses 
at one time. He also ran a grocery store for 
seven years. 

Mr. Sankey has been married twice. His first 
wife was Eliza McDonald, daughter of Randall 
.McDonald of Edenburg; she died Aug. 12, 1849, 
leaving two children: Hezekiah R., born I'^eb. 
13, 1843; Salathiel McDonald, born Feb. 21, 
1845, '' fiirmer of Atwood, Kansas, who has 
seven children — Catherine R., Eggleston C. 
William W., Georgie V., Ezekiel R., Ervin Mc, 
Hezekiah A., and Ira D. ; \'iana, born Aug. 29, 
1847, preceded her mother to the grave. (Jur 
subject married as his second wife Ann D. Cox, 
daughter of Joseph and Jane (Law) Cox, who 
were members of the farming connnunity of 
New Castle township. Mrs. Sankey was born 
Sept. 20, 1818. ( )ur subject and his wife are 
l)lessed with the best of health, and enjoy as 
happv and contented life together as one would 
care to see. They have three children; Olive 
Jane, born March 3, 1852, is the wiilow of 
William Davis, deceased, and has two children — 
Edna antl J. Emerson; Bessie R., born Sept. 6, 
1855. married Dr. George \\\ Greene, a dentist 
(>f New Castle, and has two children — Mabel and 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



s"; 



Frances; Edicc I"., wife of J. C. Xorris. a iiicr- 
chant of Mahoningtown. they liave one son. 
Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Sankey are nicniliers of 
the M. E. Cliurch. < \\r subject is a Republican 
in his politics, and has served as supervisor, as 
overseer of the poor, and as school director. 

Charles G. Sankey, agent of the Pennsylvania 
R. R. at Xew Castle, was horn in that city, Sejit. 
7, 1865, and is a son of Charles C. and Margaret 
E. (McConahy) Sankey, grandson of l'>.ekiel 
and Sarali S. (Jones), and great-grandson of 
Ezekiel and Jane (Culbertson) Sankey, whose 
life is recorded above. Charles C. Sankey, the 
father of Charles G., was born in Xew Castle 
township, August 10, if^35. attended its 
schools, antl learned civil engineering, wiiich 
profession he followed from 1850 until 1863. 
more or less. In 1861, he enlisted at the first 
call for troops, and served three months in Co. 
II. lie was then appointed agent of the Xew 
Castle station for the Pennsylvania R. R.. when 
but one engine diil all the work on the road; he 
has remained in the employ of the comjiany until 
the present date, has kept its records, carefully 
looked after its business, and watched its 
progress, whicli is so great that now four engines 
are required to (\o the switching in the yards. 
During this time, he lias made many accpiaint- 
ances, and won to himself many friends, and is 
held in the highest esteem in the town, and 
throughout the county, and everywhere he is 
known. He has been twice married, his first wife 
being Margaret E. McConahy. daughter of 
David and Jane McConahy; she died at the age 
of forty, after presenting her husband, who 
deeply felt the loss inflicted on him, with five 
children, as follows: Clyde J., a jeweler of Pitts- 



burg; Charles G., our subject: I-'red B., of 
Pittsburg, traveling passenger agent of the 
Pennsylvania R. R.: Laura I-".: and Margaret. 
IJv his second wife. X'ieuna Montgomery, he has 
three children: How aril M.; .'^arah; and 
Marion. Me owns the fine residence on Wallace 
Avenue, which he makes his home. 

Charles G. Sankey left school March 12, 1S84, 
to accept tJie position of ticket agent of the 
Pennsylvania R. R. at Xew Castle, and on 
March 14, 1894, he was appointed agent, al- 
though yet a young man. Me is a very popular 
and well-liked young man. and is thoroughly 
conversant with all the details of tlie business 
which he manages. 

In comuclion with this biographical memoir, 
we present the portrait of Ezekiel R. Sankey; 
this likeness will prove an important addition to 
the galaxv of i>ortraits of the leading citizens of 
Lawrence Countv that ap|)]x'ars scattered 
throughout this liook of Biographies. 



SCOTT D. LOXC;. a ])roniinent member of 
the Law fence County bar. and a niemher of the 
firm of Dana & Long, was born in .Xew Castle, 
Feb. 2j, 1847. Me is a son of David and Susan 
(McCandless) Long, grandson of Joseph Long, 
and great-grandson of Alexander Long, who 
came from Westmoreland Co., Pa., in 1806. and 
located on a farm just a little .south of Xew Cas- 
tle. His farm of 200 acres was divided after his 
death between his two sons. Joseph and Arthur. 
each taking 100 acres and living there all their 
lives. Joseph Long, grandfather of Scott D., 



88 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIHS, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

was druwned whik- funliny the river at Rock general business in New Castle. They are well 

Point on horseback, when forty years of age. known in Western Pennsylvania as a firm that 

He was survived b\- his wife h'.llen and seven has been successfully engaged in nianv noted 

children, all of whom lived to enjoy many years cases. 

of luature manhood and womanhood. The cliil- Mr. Long married Eva F. JMorehead, daugh- 

dren bore the following names: Alexander; ter of H. H. Morehead of New Castle, antl four 

John; Sarah; IMargaret; Jose])h. Jr.; David; and children constitute the famih', as follows: Ella 

Arthur S. .M.; Clara L. ; David II.; and George S. They 

David Long was born in 18T4 in New Castle, are I'resbyterians in their religious sympathies, 

and learned the trade of a stone-mason; on the .Mr. Long uniforndy casts his vote and personal 

old canal he was engaged for long periods, and intluence in favor of the Kepublican part\' and 

also constructed many cellars in New Castle, its princi])les. 
furnishing the stone for his work from a quarry 

which he owned and ojierated. in 1864 he bought ^-.-^<-»^ 

a farm in Mercer County, and farmed there in 

connection with his stone-mason work until J .\M h'.S C. NORKIS, one of Lawrence Coun- 

1880, when he retired to New Castle, and dietl ty's promising young lawyers, and a resident of 

in 1885. His first wife, Jane, daughter of James Xe^ Castle, was I)orn near the city in 1870. His 

McWilliams, died at the age of twenty-five, leav- father, Nathaniel Norris. was born in 1832 in 

ing three children: James M.; Ellen; and Lydia, County Cork, Ireland, and came to America 

deceased. His second wife, Susan AlcCandless, about the time he attained his majority, locating 

(laughter of James McCandless. was the mother in New Castle. He was a tanner by trade, but 

of our subject, and was born in 1815, and died lUd not follnw his trade after coming to this 

in i8i;3; she bore Mr. Long the following chil- country, but obtained employment in the mills 

dren: Scott D., the subject of this notice: of New Castle, where he worked twenty-five 

Roljert C, deceased; Lam-a ; William H.; and years in the capacity of a puddler. He is now 

Joseph. retired from active work and nwns and lives on 

Scott D. Long was educated in the New Cas- a lot covering about one and one-half acres, 

tie schools, and linislied in the State Normal which is situated within the present city limits. 

.School. He undertook his pre|)aration for the His wife. Elizal)eth, daughter of James Loyd of 

practice of law inider the direction of Messrs. Mercer County, was born in 184.2. They reared 

D. 1'). and E. T. Kutrz of New Castle, and was the following seven children:" Sanuiel H.. born 

admitted to the bar in May, 1869. Soon after he 1863; John 15., 1867; James C. 1870: Minnie 

formed a partnership with Mr. S. W. Dana, mi- M.. 1874; Cassius, 1876; Charles, 1877; and 

der the firm name of Dana & Long, and they Frank. 1884. 

have since practiced very extensively through- Our subject was educated in the schcxjls of 

out the conntv and State, taking care of a large New Castle ami in (irove Citv College, and 



BOOK 01- BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRE.XCE tOL'XTY. S'.> 

^ttulii'd law with Dana i<: LoiiS;;' <>f Xi'w tastlc, lie married as liis first wile a Miss Morris, who 

))cing admitted to the l)ar for tlic practice of the thed leaviiifj six children; John: Alie; William: 

legal pn)ftssi(jii in the March term of court. Annie (Guthrie): Maria (L'anieron): and Mar- 

1895. He immediately opened an office at Xo. garet (Slack). His second wife. Elizabeth Den- 

6, ICast Street, where he now conducts a general nison. left him five more children: lames: Mary 

law practice. With his superabundant energy ([•'lliolt): lane (Longworthi: David: and Alex- 

and undaunted perseverance, he is attracting to ander. His third wife was a Miss lulwards. 

himself a large and lucrative Ijusiness. lie is Our subject's father, William Mill, was born 

making rapid progress in his profession, and we near Xew lledford. Lawrence Co.. I'a., Jan. 16, 

venture to predict that in the near future we 1S21. and jiasseil his boyhood days and early 

shall hear of his merited success as one of the manhood in farming at I'ulaski and at New 

leading attornevs and counselors-at-law of iiis Middlesex, lie was married at the latter place 

county: bv his close application to the business to Lavina J. Shoemaker, daughter of John and 

of his profession. supi)le!uented by his genial Xancy (Himilight) Shoemaker. Mr. Shoe- 

and heartv manners, he is surrounding himseli maker, who was~a native of .Armstrong Co., Pa., 

with a host of admiring friends. was a lumberman and later kept a hotel in the 

May 26, i8<j7. Mr. Xorris was united in mar- ( )|<1 Stone Hotel in I'.utler County, of which he 

riage with Miss F.ffie J. Xorris. an accomplished was the host, when the exciting depredations in 

young lad\ of t'lallin. Kansas, who finislieilJier Western Pennsylvania were committed. lie 

education in I'xjston. Mass. Mrs. Xorris' father, jiad a family of seven children, who were as fol- 

N. E. Norris, is a prominent agriculturist of lows: Lucinda ( Welchance): Hannah (liun- 

Claflin, Kansas. nell): Simon, deceased: Lavina J. (Hill); Lizzie 

(Sanderson): John: and Nancy, deceased. Mr. 

^^.^^^m- Shoemaker died at the age of sixty, and his wife 

at the age of eighty-three. William Hill moved 

FRANK S. HILL, a jirominent light of the to Xew Castle in 1851. where he began the 
legal fraternity, and a resident of the city of Xew manufacture of pottery, which business con- 
Castle, is a .son of William Hill, and grand.son tinned to monopolize his attention for twcnty- 
of John Hill.. who was born in \\-ashington Co.. one years. In 1881. he became a traveling sales- 
La. John Hill w^as a cabinet-maker by trade nian for the Pittsburg Clay Manufacturing Co. 
and was engaged in fine furniture-making until "f Xew P.righton. and is still in the employ of 
.m.ldle life, wlien he bought a farm about one- said c.ncern. His wife has l>orne him tliree cliil- 
half a mile south of Xew I'.edford. Lawrence dren, as follows: Mary K., deceased: Jolm 11.: 
County, where he remained a numl)cr of years. ;>"d Frank S. 

From there he went to New Middlesex, Mercer Frank S. Hill was Inirn in the city of Xew 

County, and from there to Pulaski, Lawrence Castle, Fel). 10, 1858, and received his schooling 

County, where he died aged forty-eight years, in the Xew Lastle schools, in Power's Conuuer- 



;h ) 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



cial College, and in New Castle L'niversity. He 
studied law with Col. McComb, and was admit- 
ted to the bar July 6, 1881, and has confined his 
]jractice to New Castle and its environs, Iiis 
office beins;- located at Xo. 2yi East Washing- 
ton Street. 

In 1885 our subject married IMargaret liar- 
bison, daughter (jf Andrew Harbison of Shen- 
ango township. an<l the\ have four children: 
Thomas E. ; Mar\- H.: I'rank S. Jr.; and ( ier- 
trude. In ])olitics. Air. Hill is sure to be found 
in the ranks of the Re])ublican partv, throwing 
his influence toward that party which he consid- 
ers the best. He is a nuMuber of the ( 'rder of 
Royal Templars, ( )rder of the Woodmen of the 
World, and (/oimcil Xo. 180, [unior ( )rder. 



WALLACE H. EALL.S, a leading and prom- 
inent attorney-at-law of Xew Castle City, is a 
descendant of one of the earliest settlers of that 
city. 

In 1804 Llenry Ealls came from Center Co., 
Pa., to New Castle, a settlement which at that 
time could boast of but four residences, and set- 
tled on a s].)ot on Highland Avenue, which 
locality was then wild and uncultivateil. Henry 
Ealls was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 
1760, and inmiigrated to this country in com- 
pany with his lirother, Joseph, in 177Q. His 
wife before her marriage was a Miss Susan Ken- 
nedy; their children were named: John; 
Thomas; .'^arah and Rachel, twins; Henrv; and 
Joseph C. He died in 1847. ^'ifl ^'^ '^^'f'-' ^"i"" 
vived his death seven vears. 



Thomas, the second son of Henry Falls, was 
born in Ligonier A'alley, Center Co., Pa., Oct. 
-9. 170,^ 'I'ltl '^t the age of fourteen years was 
lirought hv his parents to what is now the city 
of Xew Castle, where he passed his boyhood 
days on the farm, helping his father during the 
sjjring, summer aiul fall, and attending the rude 
schools of that time in the winter. As soon as 
he became a man, he went to Mercer and 
learned the tanning trade; after serving an ap- 
prenticeship of three years, he went to Pitts- 
burg, Pa., where he labored at his trade one 
summer. He then returned home to Xew Cas- 
tle, and established a tannery, which he con- 
ducted with the most flattering success imtil 
1841, when he resigned the management of it 
to his eldest son. In 1831 he built thereon the 
house which remained his hoiue until his death 
( )ct. 8, 1865; this house was the third brick 
house to be Iniilt in New Castle. He accunui- 
lated a large amount of real estate in the 
borough and owned several farms near by; as 
the countr\- grew upi. his large landed posses- 
sions gave him a i)restige among his less for- 
tunate neighl)ors as a man of wealth and means. 
The settlement, which could scarcely be termed 
a hamlet during his boyhcjod days, he lived to 
see become a flourishing young city, with the 
brightest prospect of a future before it. In the 
bringing about of this good result, nothing is 
more certain than that Mr. Ealls did his full 
share; he built twelve house in the city, and 
always aided in public enterprises. He was a 
model citizen, and highly esteemed as a Chris- 
tian gentleman. Dec. 25, 1818, he was joined 
in wedlock with Sarah ^Vilson. daughter of 
Adam Wilson of New Wilmington, this county; 




DR. MARIA WHITE. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



its 



slic (lied June 26, 1870, aged seventy-six years, 
lught children were born to them: Wilson: 
Henry C; Raciiel: Maria .].: j. Smith: Susan; 
Sarah; and Thomas H. 

Henry C. Falls, father of Wallace H. Falls, 
was born in Xew Castle, July 8, 1822. He was 
reared as a farmer, and with the exception of a 
brief period spent in the grocery business in 
Pittsburg, he i)ursue(l agricultural pursuits for 
a livelihood. In 1854 he was married to Mary 
A. Wallace, daughter of David Wallace, F2sq., 
of Lancaster, Pa., and to them two sons were 
born: Wallace 11., our subject, and Thomas, who 
died when aged ten years. I'.oth Mr. and Mrs. 
I-'alls were members of the hirst Presbyterian 
Church, in which communion Mr. halls held the 
office of elder. His farm consisted of a very 
nicely improved tract of 140 acres, which lay 
within the city limits of .\cw Castle. He was a 
gentleman of plain manners, sterling good 
sense, and moved by generous and kindly im- 
l)ulses. He was a strong Republican, and was 
elected a member to the State Legislature in 
1884; his health failed rapidly, and he was called 
home to receive the welcome plaudit of "Well 
done, good and faithful servant, enter tiiou into 
the joy of thy Lord." He died before his term 
had expired. Feb. i^, 1885. His wife lived to 
the age of sixty-seven years, departing this life 
in May, 1896. Airs. Falls was a lady of refine- 
ment and of a substantial worth. 

Wallace H. halls was born in Xew Castle, 
Nov. 9, 1855, and received his education in the 
schools of New Castle, Bellefonte, and Cham- 
bersburg. and in Lafayette College, graduating 
from the latter institution in the class of 1878. 
He pursued the studies which were to make him 



an able lawyer under the direction of Judge 
lohn McMichael. and was admitted to the bar 
in 1879. Since then he has practiced his pro- 
fession with eminent success, and is able to en- 
roll his name among the lists of the l)est lawyers 
of the State; his office is located in the Clen- 
denin block. 

Mr. Falls was married in 1883 to Miss Mary 
E. Pardoe, daughter of William X. Pardoe of 
Mercer Co., Pa., and to them has been given one 
child: Helen W. .Mr. I'alls is a nuMuber of the 
Mahoning Lodge, Xo. 343, F. & A. M.; and of 
Mdelis Lodge, K.- of P., and is now past chan- 
cellor and chief tribune of the grand tribune of 
the State of Peunsvlvania. 



DR. M.\Ri.\ Wiiri'l'., a prominent jjliysi- 
cian and surgeon of .Xew Castle, now engaged in 
the active practice of iier profession, after many 
vears spent as a medical missionary for the 
L'nited Presbyterian Hoard of Missions in the 
Panjab. India, was born in (Irove City. .Mercer 
Co., Pa., .\pril 11, 1858. and is a daughter of 
(leorge W. and Susanna Kerr (Wallace) White. 
Our subject's grandfather, John White, was 
born in County .\ntrim, Ireland, and came to 
.\mcrica the latter part of the last century, set- 
ling at first in Wasiiington County, Pa., and 
later removing to .Mercer County, near drove 
Citv, where it is said his family was the .second 
(if white parentage to make their home. He 
was a farmer by occuj)ation, and cleared and 
tilled the soil, wliere ( Irove City is now located; 
he was a large land-owner and considered to be 
a ver\- prominent man of his day. He married 



'Ji 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



Margaret jMcOiR-ry, granddaughter of the Rev. 
Matthew Henderson, a pioneer minister in this 
part of the State, and a native of .Scotland. The 
following children were l)orn to theni: John 
P.; Rachel: James: jane: Samuel ('..: ( ieorge 
W.: Hiram C. : Elizabeth S.: and Henderson C. 
In their religious belief they were ciriginalh' 
Seceders, but eventually united with the United 
Rreslnterian (_'hurch. jolni White dei)arted this 
life in 1S54, and his wife preceded him about ten 
years. 

George W. White was Ijorn Jan. 3, 181 2. an<l 
was educated in the schools of drove City, and 
upon the completion of his education learned 
the stone-cutter's trade, also the stone-mason's 
trade, and his services were in great demand 
front far and near, for he could be (le])ended 
u])i:)n to do reliable and substantial work. In 
later life he also operated a farm in connection 
with his work as a stone-cutter and mason. In 
his earlv years he was a Whig in the expression 
of his political preferences: later on when that 
party gave way to the Republican party, he be- 
came a Republican, and lastly enlisted in the 
ranks of the Prohibition party. In 1839, '""^ ^^'^* 
joined in marriage with .Susannah Wallace, 
daughter of Hugh and Ann (Kerr) Wallace, and 
eight children resulted from this happy union as 
follows: John Newton: Mary A.; ^Margaret A.; 
Susanna K., deceased; Eleanor J.; Sue; Xar- 
cissa; and ]\Iaria, the subject of this narration. 
John Newton married Mary J. Stevenson of 
Harlansburg, Pa., and has five children — Anna 
A.; J. Wilbur, deceased: George .S.; Sarah N.; 
and .'Vrthur C. Mary A., our subject's oldest 
sister, married \'alentinc Z. P>all of Henderson- 
ville, T'a., and they reared the following family: 



Eleanor J.: (ieorge D.; Narcissa; Frank: Nora 
A.; Mary M. ; J. Norman; Nettie; and Maria J. 
Eleanor j. married the Rev. James E. Roberts 
of Harlansburg, I'a.. and bore him si.x childreu, 
namely: Anna Mary; Cordelia J.; Susanna V>.; 
M. Edith; Maggie M.; and Mabel P.. Sue mar- 
ried Ezra Koonce, and their union was blessed 
with the birth of three children: \'iola; Ivan 
C. : and lUirt E. Narcissa, next youngest sister 
to our subject, married Marshall J. ]\inney of 
Astoria, Oregon. (Jur stdjject's mother passed 
away Jan. 26, 1872. and her father July 24, 1882. 
They were I'nited P^resbyterians in their relig- 
ious belief. 

Dr. Maria ^\'hite olitained her elementary 
education in the schools of Grove Citv, later 
attending the State Normal School at Edinboro, 
Pa., after wdiich she taught school for a time, 
and then took a two years' course in the Grove 
City College. In 1881 she went to New York 
City as a missionary under the auspices of the 
I'nited Presliyterian Board of Hoiue Missions, 
and spent one year laboring among the pcjor of 
the tenement^ districts, being called home to 
Grove Cit>- in 1882, on the death of her father. 
Remaining at home one year, she read medicine 
during that time under the direction and tute- 
lage of Dr. \'an Emon, and in 18S3 entered the 
Women's Medical College of Baltimore, Md., 
where she was connected as a student until her 
graduation in 1886, her vacations being spent 
in the hospitals of Baltimore. She also took a 
course in bacteriology at Johns Hopkins Col- 
lege. Dr. \\'hite then went to New York City 
to take post-graduate work, spending three 
months in a special course in the treatment of 
disorders of the eve and ear, diseases of children. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWREXCE COi'NTY. 



95 



of the nervous system, and in orthopedic sur- 
gery. After returning to tirove City, and taking 
leave of her friends, she sailed, under tlie United 
Presbyterian Board of Missions, from Philadel- 
phia the fifteenth day of September, 1886, for 
India, being located at Sialkot in the Panjab, 
being the first lady surgeon sent out by that 
board. About one year after reaching that 
place she opened a hospital and dispensarv in 
the city on a small scale. Later on she purchased 
land and erected a large hospital, where she re- 
mained as chief surgeon and jjhysician eight 
years, also devoting a considerable portion of 
her time and strength to teaching many of the 
native girls the art of nursing. In connection 
with the hospital, she also established a dispen- 
sary twenty miles from Sialkot in the city of 
Pasrure. In i8<)4. Dr. White returned to 
America, recuperating a few months in Astoria. 
Oregon. Later on she came to Xew Castle, 
where she has Ijeen very successfully engaged in 
the labors peculiar to her profession, and has a 
very large office practice. She is a devoted and 
enthusiastic worker in the interests of the 
W. C. T. V .. and an ardent advocate of the aims 
and principles of the Prohibition party. 

Dr. White contemplates returning to India 
soon to again enter into missionary work. The 
publishers of this Book of Biographies of Law- 
rence County are indeed proud of the oppor- 
tunity of presenting with this short review of Dr. 
White's useful Christian life, her portrait, which 
appears on a jjreceding page. The great num- 
bers of workers in the home missionary field, 
and her near and dear friends, will now have a 
suitable memento of her, when she is far distant 
in Eastern lands, allaying suffering and combat- 
ing disease in the cause of The Creat Healer. 



JOHN C. KOBISOX of Mahoninglown is 
an engineer of the Pennsylvania R. R., running 
on the E. & A. Division. lie was born in Shar- 
on, Pa., .^ept. \2. 1861, and is a son of John .\. 
and Elizabeth (Coner) Robison. The latter, now- 
deceased, was a daughter of Abraham Coner, 
who came to Mahoning Co., Ohio, from West- 
moreland Co., Pa.; he was of Cerman descent; 
his wife was a Miss Carpenter, who lived near 
Ellenburg, Lawrence Co.. Pa. John A. Robison, 
the father of our subject, was born Nov. 2, 1833, 
and served in the Civil War; he is at present 
engaged in the furniture business in Sharon, Pa. 
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, a 
Republican in i)olitics, and a member of the 
Royal Templars of Temperance. He was a son 
of Samuel Robison, who was born two miles 
south of Pulaski in 1802; he married Miss Wal- 
lace, a native of Scotland, who was born in 1809. 
and came with her parents to .\merica in 1816; 
her mother's name was (ireene before her mar- 
riage. Samuel Robison was a son of James 
Robison, a native of Ireland, who settled on a 
farm two miles south of Pulaski, and died at an 
advanced age. 

Our subject was brought up in Sharon, and 
attended its common schools: at the age of sev- 
enteen he began railroading, and on Sej)!. 20. 
1887, he was appointed fireman, and on .Kug. 6, 
1889, was ])romoted to the post of engineer, 
since which date he lias been in the constant eni- 
l>lov of the Pennsylvania R. R., running on the 
E. & A. Division, and proving himself worthy 
of the high regard and confidence in which he 
is held. 

He was married June 6. i8i)2. in Mahttning- 
town, to Sallie M. hrisbee, daughter of H. P>. 



96 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, I A WHENCE COUNTY 

Frisbee, ami to tlK-ni have Ijeen _s;ivc'n three cliil- when he eame to New Castle, and was engaged 
dren : Samuel, deceased; Hugh; and Charles, in building in that city until 1800, also working 
r>oth Mr. and ^Irs. Robison are members in at various times in this jieriod in the planing 
good and regular standing of the Presbyterian mills. Then for a numlier of \ears he was not 
Church. ]\Ir. Robison's political views coincide actively engaged in any occupation, but in the 
with those advanced liy the Republican party, fall of 1895 he built a store-room at Xo. ig^ East 
and conseciuently we find him among the stanch- Long Avenue, and on the first day of January, 
est su])porters of that |)arty. He is a niend)cr i8()6, he opened it to the jiatronage of the pub- 
of the following organizations: I'.rotherhood of He with a tine stock of groceries, dealing in bak- 
Locomotive Engineers, \\'. L. Scott Division, ery products as well. He is enjoying an excel- 
No. 298, of Erie, Pa.: Mahoning Lodge, F. & A. lent trade, and with imjjroving times will widely 
M., No. 243, of New Castle; and Junior Order extend his business. 

of C'nited American Mechanics. Air. Thompson is a son of David and Eliza- 

betli A. (Love) Thompson, the latter a daughter 

of Hugh Love. David Thompson was liorn in 

Pulaski township on the same farm as was his< 

son, our subject, and lived and died there at the 

JOHN L. THOMPSON, the proprietor of a age of seventy-four years. With the excejition 

thriving grocery business, recently established of a few years in early life when he followed the 

at 198 East Long Avenue, New Castle, was trade of a carpenter, he made farnnng his sole 

born in Pulaski Township, Lawrence County, vocation. He was a stanch Republican in his 

December 23, 1845. His native township con- political views. His parents, George and Eliza- 

tinued to lie his home through his younger l,eth (Scott) Thompson, were among the early 

years and its district schools were diligently at- pioneers of the county, and lived on the farm all 

tended until he enlisted in the army l-'ebruary their lives. George Thompson was an expert at 

-/■ ''"^^'5. in Company ( i, 78th Regiment Penn- the shoemaker's trade, and supplied all his fani- 

sylvania \ (ilunteer Infantry. He served through ilv w ith foot wear. 

the remainder of the war, saw service in Ken- The subject of this notice was joined in mar- 
lucky, Tennessee and Alabama, antl was honor- riage, ( )ct. 10, 1868, to |ose])hine Reynolds, a 
ably discharged at Nashville, September 11, daughter of John V . and Alargaret J. (Hick- 
1865. ( )n his return from the front he lived at man) Revnolds, and a granddaughter of Robert 
home a short time, and then served three montlus Revnolds, who married a Miss Spessard. Rob- 
as an apprentice to a carpenter, but discontinued ert Revnolds, was one of the earliest settlers of 
that trade to learn cabinet-making, at which he the county, coming here when there were but 
worked some seven years, both in Sharon and three log-houses in New Castle, and buying a 
in New Castle He again took up the carpen- farm in the wilderness, where wild game was 
ter's trade, and followed it in Shanin until 1873, (piite jtlentiful; it was a common sight to see 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. it? 

deer, and wolves and bear were still too frequent migrated to America in the last years of the 
to be pleasant. The present comfortable resi- eighteenth century, and found a home in IMiila- 
dence of Mr. and ^Irs. Thompson at Xo. 203 delphia. He s])ent a few years there, and then 
East Long Avenue stands on a part of her came to Xorth IJeaver townshij). and located 
grandfather's farm. Our subject's family con- about four miles south of Mt. Jackson on the 
sists of six children, who are as follows: Mary place where T. Swisher now makes his h(jme. 
Olive, wife of Frank -A. Crowe of West Xewton; His experience was that of his fellow-pioneers — 
lames Howard; Charles Reynolds; Almeda a hard but winning struggle to subdue the wild 
Pearl, the wife of Alvin C. Patterson of Mc- forests, and reclaim the good brown acres. He 
Keesport, Pa.; Florence Emily; and Margaret built a log-cabin and before much time had 
Elizabeth. .-Ml of .\lr. riiom|)son's family are elapsed had one hundred acres under culliva- 
members of the Epworth M. E. Church. Mr. tion. His remaining years were spent on this 
Thompson is a stalwart Republican, and was a homestead, where he died at the age of seventy- 
member of the city council for five years. As a five; his wife also lived t(j about the same age. 
veteran of the late war, he is a member of G. A. Their children were: William; John; Joseph; 
R. Post, Xo. 100, of Xew Castle, Pa. James, who died in youth; an infant, who 

also died young; Betsy; Polly; Peggy; and 

Xancy. 

William (iilmore, the eldest son, was born in 

Philadelphia, and during his boyhood and early 

W'l LLIAM T. tilLMtJRI'^, of the well-known manhood followed his father's fc)rtunes, and re- 

tirm of liurk & (iilmore, general merchants of mained under the parental roof. When the fam- 

Hillsville, Mahoning township, Eawrcnce Co.. ily came into Mercer County, he also took up a 

Pa., needs no introduction at our hands to the tract of about one lumdred acres of new land, 

people of Western Pennsxlvania. He has spent wJiich he proposed to transform in a few years 

his busy life among the resiilents of that i)art of into a well-cultivated, productive farm, such as 

the State, and the talents and abilities, which he might have been seen in the more settled portion 

possesses, are known to all. of Eastern Pennsylvania. He cleared a portion 

Mr. (iilmore was brought into this world Jan. of the property, but not liking the way it devel- 

23, 1857. at tile place where Joseph Gilmore now oped, he after some eight years traded it for a 

lives in Xorth Beaver township. He was a son place in the same township, which is now known 

of David and Rachel (Dobbins) Gilmore, and as the William Petrie farm. This tract consisted 

his grandparents were William and Ann (Ken- of one hundred acres, to which lie not long after 

nedy) (iilmore. The great-grandfather by name added one hundred more. Mr. (iilmore was al- 

was Joseph Gilmore, a native of County Down, ways an energetic man. and alive to every 

Ireland, and the husband of Xancy (Bois) (iil- chance that ofifered. WJien tiie canal was being 

more. Joseph Gilmore with his young wife im- built, he began biitcliering cattle and stock that 



98 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 

he raised on his farm, and deHvered the meat to Hoffmaster; Harry, now at home; and Lee, a 
points along the route of the canal, thereby teacher, who also lives at home. In politics, Mr. 
building up a large and exceedingly profitable Gilmore is true to the family traditions, and is 
business. Later on, he dealt heavilv in cattle, prominently C(5nnected in the Republican nr- 
horses, and otlier stock, finding a read}' market ganization of his section. He is a member of the 
in Pittsburg. He continued his active life until L'nited Presbyterian Church. 
he was called to rejoin those who had preceded William T. Gilmore was first a pupil in the dis- 
him; he lived to the age of eighty-five, and his trict schools, and then took a finishing course in 
wife filled out eighty-three years. Seven chil- the Xew Castle Business College. He became 
dren made up tlieir family: Josej)h ; James, de- familiar with the limestone and plaster business, 
ceased; John; Mary; David; Xancy; and Sarah, and for fifteen years followed general contract- 
deceased. During his earlv life, Mr. Gilmore ing. He came to Hillsville in 1880, being 
was a pronounced Whig, but later in life joined brought there by a large amount of work in his 
the Republican party. He was in religious line, and liking the village assocated himself in 
affairs a liberal supporter and consistent mem- 1890 with the Carbon Limestone Co. Three 
ber of the United Presbyterian Church. years later, Mr. (iilmore bought a half interest 
David liilmore, son of William and father of in the already established company, and the firm 
William T., our suliject, entered upon life Alarch of liurk & (iilmore came into being, the senior 
12. 1833. He was born on the home farm, and member of the tirm being Mr. E. I\I. I'.urk. They 
followed agricultural pursuits all his days. He are now conducting the largest and at the same 
purchased the fifty-acre farm that adjoined the time the most flourishing general store in the 
homestead, and which is now owned by Joseph township, or immediate vicinity. Since 1895, 
Dickinson, and (_)n it Iniilt the necessary farm- they have maintained a branch store of consid- 
buildings, and making many other marked im- erable importance at Bessemer, 
provemcnts. This he sold in 1864. and bought Mr. (iilmt)re is a thorough Ijusiness man in 
the William Woods farm of one hundred acres, every sense of the word. A close and careful 
a place which he now- owns. Here he erected a buyer, he sells on small margins, depending 
house and suitable 1)arns and out-buildings, and upon a great volume of trade for his ])rofits. He 
proved himself by his excejitional success to Ite has been steadily pri.>spering in all his under- 
a model and progressive farmer. He wedded takings, and is the owner of a very fine residence 
Rachel Dobbins, daughter of Easter Doblnns and much other valuable property. Mr. Gilmore 
of Mahoning township, and reared a family of was united in marriage with Annie Martin, 
nine children, by name: Xancy, now the w'ife of daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Robinson) 
S. Maybury; William T., our subject; Edwin, Martin. Thomas Martin was a native of Cum- 
husband of Jessie (Cox) Gilmore; Elizalieth. berland Co., Pa., but passed twenty-two years in 
who married J. C. Allen; Joseph, who took as his agricultural pursuits in fiercer County. In 1861, 
wife Mary (irandy; Davidson, who married C. he purchased the Johnson farm near Hillsville, 




W EOWIN JACKSON. D. D. S. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRKNCIi COVXTY. 



101 



which was and is still one of the best estates of 
the township. He erected the new buildings and 
made many ver)- great improvements, which are 
much in evitlence even at this time. He died in 
1867. aged fifty-four years, while his wife lived 
to pass her eightieth birthdav. The children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Martin were: John S.. James R.. 
I^Iary S., Cyrus L., Annie K., and I'ermelia J. 
Mr. Gilmore and his wife Annie are the parents 
of a fine family of children, who are named in 
order: Edwin; l^rank; I'essie: I'Vederick ; Er- 
win; Walter; Charles; and an infant William. 

Mr. (iilmorc can l)e aptly termed a man of 
affairs. A loyal Republican, he is often called 
uixni by his fellow-townsmen to serve them in 
an official position, and give them the benefit of 
liis admirable business methods. Of the highest 
integrity and marked adaptability, he faithfully 
performs every duty which falls to him. He is 
known as a successful man, and is esteemed ac- 
cordingly. In church affairs, his lines are cast 
with the Baptist Church. In all matters he is a 
representative and valued citizen, and the com- 
munity is fortunate in possessing so worthy a 
citizen. 



W. EDWIX JACKSOX, D. 1). S., of Xew 
Castle, althougli not among the uklest |)ractition- 
ers of dentistry in tlie city, having located there 
in 1889, easily ranks among the first in skill 
and general ability in the line of his profession; 
by careful, conscientious work he has built up a 
practice which we may safely say, w'ith no fear of 
successful contradiction, to lie the finest in the 
county. He is up-to-date in his nielhods. ex- 



tracts teeth painlessly, does exceptionallv good 
work in filling and crowning, and is recognized 
as an expert in the manufacture of sets of false 
teeth, and in bridge work. His earlv education 
was received in the conmion schools of Cadiz, 
( )hio, where his boyhood years were spent; after 
completing the general course of studies pre- 
scribed there, he entered the Pennsylvania Col- 
Ige of Dental Surgery of Philadelphia. Pa., and 
graduated in 1889. He at once locatctl in Xew 
Castle, of which city he has been a resident and 
|)rominent professitJual man ever since. 

Dr. Jackson was born in .Mercer Co., Pa., Oct. 
25, 1865, and is a son of William P. and Su.san 
(Strickler) Jackson, the former of Mercer 
County, and the latter a native of Connellsville, 
Pa. \V'illiam Jackson, our subject's grandfather, 
was a farmer by occupation, and followed that 
vocation until his death, which occurred wiien 
he was a young man. He reared four children: 
Rachel; Hugh M.; H. Ferguson; and William 
P. They were I'nited Presbyterians in religious 
belief. Dr. Jackson's father was educated in 
Mercer County, and learned the millwright's 
trade when a young man. an<l has followed that 
trade ever since; mill-owners, wjien desiring 
excellent work, have never failed to be 
thoroughly satisfied with his work. He is a 
stanch Republican, but could never have the 
term of office-seeker applied to liim. His wife, 
who died in 1896, aged fifty-six vears, left iiim 
seven children, all of whom have attained jirom- 
inent places in life; they are as follows: Cliark-s, 
who married Emma \'inton of I'^indlay. ( )liio, 
and lias two children — Clyde, and an infant ; W. 
F.dwin, our subject; .Marguerite, wlio married 
Dr. II. M. ( Ireissinu'er of Cohnnbus, ()]iio: 



102 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Harry F., a surgeon dentist of \\'est jefTerson, and the profits of this verv successful and lucra- 

()hio: Minnie A.; Jeiniie D.; and Daisy. tive venture he invested in real estate on the 

In 1891 Dr. jacksiMi led to the altar Jessie south sitle. which in time became a valuable her- 

Troutman of Sharon, I'a.. daughter of Mrs. itage to his dcsccmlants. His son, Presley X., 

A. E. Troutman, and there mutual obligations of was a man of magnificent size, and commanding 

love were taken by each, and they were joined presence, well-proportioned and possessed of 

man and wife. Their only child, William 1'.. was very great bodily strength and energv: in his 

born March 30, 1893. i liey are Presbyterians prime he weighed 380 pounds, but did not 

in their religious belief. Dr. Jackson adheres appear to be ver\- stout. For many vears, until 

strongly to the principles anil political teachings liridges were built over the river connecting 

of the Republican party. Allegheny City and Pittsburg, he operated the 

The puldishers of this Book of F>i(jgraphies ferry lines tliat his father had established, and 

take great pleasure in presenting in c<..,nnection accumulated a comfortable fortune. Two chil- 

with this narration of his life a ]jortrait of Dr. dren were l)orn to him: Presley, a prominent 

Jackson, and we hold that he is entitled to a and able atlornev. who was a leading counsel in 

prominent place among Lawrence Countv citi- the famous Kring case in St. Louis: and Joseph 

zens as the foremost deiuist of the countv. \\'., the father of our subject. Joseph W. was 

born near Pittsburg, Aug. I, 1846, and for a 
number of years was captain and pilot on the 
river steamers of the Hawling's line. His wife 
was born near Pittsburg, and was a daughter of 

r;E()RGE (. ]( )XES, an employee in the Michael and Margaret Theiken, the former a 

repair shops of the Pennsylvania K. R. at Law- merchant of Pittsburg. 

rence Junction, residing on West Pine Street. George J. Jones was the third in a family of 
MahcmingtiDwn. was Ijorn in the city of Pitts- seven children born to his [jarents. He passed 
burg, Alarch 12, i8(k). His parents were Joseph the 3ears of early manhood in Pittsburg, and 
\\ . and Margaret (riieiken) Jones, and his completed his education at the age of sixteen in 
grantlparents were Presley X. and Mary the Peebles School in the Twenty-third Ward. 
(Coates) Jones, the latter a native of England. Desiring to give the boy a good start in life by 
The father of Presley X. was of Quaker stock, providing him with a trade, his father apprcn- 
his ancestors having come over with William ticed him to a boiler-maker in Pittsburg, with 
Penn: he was familiarly known as "( )kl Tom" whom he remained four years. The two suc- 
Jones. He came to Pittsburg at a ver\- early ceeding years were passed in railroading, being- 
date, when the Indians had not left the conn- employed as a brakeman on the passenger train 
try. and still terrified the settlers with tlieir that ran between Pittsburg and Wheeling, West 
bloody depredations. "Old Tom" established a \'irginia, on the B. & O. R. R. In the summer 
ferry between Pittsburg and Allegheny Cit}-. of i88y, he gave up his job as brakeman. and 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCH COUNTY . 



103 



accepted a sitiiati(jn in the boiler works of 
'Thomas Morrison of Wasliington. I'a., wliere 
he worked until December, 1891, coming to 
Mahoningtown on the 20th of that month, and 
commencing work for the rennsylvania K. R.. 
as a trusted employee of the repair shops, located 
at Lawrence Junction. He is a traiiu-cl mechanic, 
and skilled in all that pertains to his trade; his 
services, consequently, do not go begging. l)ut 
command a good price, which he has never 
failed to obtain. He is young still, and with the 
many years that seemingly are promised to him. 
it will be no surprise to his friends to see him 
rise to the highest positions that are open to a 
wide-awake, ingenious man, whose knowledge 
of machinery is so exact and intimate. 

He forsook the state of "single blessedness" 
for happy married life on Oct. 29, 1889, in Wash- 
ington, Pa., on which date he was married to 
Addle J. Martin, the fifth child in a family of six 
born to Benjamin I-". and Julia (Zedeker) Mar- 
tin, the latter a daughter of Louis and Harriet 
Zedeker: IJenjamin F. Martin, who was a son 
of Joshua Martin, a millwright, who lived in 
]\Iartinsburg, was a carpenter l>y trade, but al.so 
followed the pursuits of farming. Kenneth 
Wray and Percy Martin are the names of their 
two manly sons. Mrs. Jones is a member of the 
Presbyterian Churcli, and is bringing up the 
childnn in the faith of that church. In his 
political -views, Mr. Jones is a Republican of 
deepest dye. He is a member of the Pennsyl- 
vania Co.'s Relief Association. He belongs to 
the two following secret orders: Amazon Lo<ige. 
^^o- 336, Knights of Pythias, of Mahoningtown : 
and lmi)roved Order of Heptesoph, Zingooqua 
Conclave. \o. 164. of Washington, Pa. 



JOH.V \\1.\TERS, a respected citizen of 
L'nion township, who carries on a general team- 
ing business chiefly in the city of New Castle, 
was born in Katrusville, Md.. Sept. 17, 1S50, and 
is a son of Christian and Margaret (Hoffman) 
Winters. CMiristian Winters was born in Hazen, 
(ierniany, in 1818, and came to .\merica in 1844, 
settling in Katrusville. Md.. where he bought a 
small farm, and engaged in agricultural pursuits 
for some eight years. He then came to Xew 
Castle and worked in the gas-house: and later 
in 1851; he bought the Col. O'Hrien farm, which 
the heirs still own. where he lived and laI)orcd 
until he passed away to better abodes in 1876. 
His wife, who is still living, was a daughter of 
(ieorge and ^L'lrguerite (Ancer) Hoffman, and 
was born in I'eria, (iermany, in 1844. Her 
father, mother and the remaining members of 
the family came to America, and settled in Balti- 
more. Md., where the father died at the age of 
seventyrone years; he was a carpenter and mill- 
wright by trade, and in the prime of his life did 
extensive contracting. His wife, who only lived 
to be fifty-two, bore him three children: ^L-^^- 
garet, our subject's mother: Elizabeth: and 
Henry. There were born to Christian Winters 
and his excellent wife the following children: 
(jeorge. a resident of Xew Castle: John, our 
subject: Henry, who lives on the homestead; 
William of Harlansburg; Elizabeth (Flynn); and 
Mary Trushel. 

At the age of seventeen years, John Winters 
learned the jjlastering trade and followed it un- 
til he was married at the age of twenty to Miss 
Mary C. Cameron, daughter of James Cameron 
of l^nion township, Lawrence Co., Pa. Innne- 
diately after that auspicious event, realizing his 



104 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



need of a permanent home, lie added to the acre all the days of his life, and did a world of good 
of land given him by his father by purchasing an- among the hardy sons of the Granite State, 
other acre from his brother, and on the resulting where he made his home. Joseph Lawrence, 
tract of two acres he built a house, and has since the father of James AI. Lawrence, our subject, 
made the place his home, following general was born at Alstead, and obtained his training- 
teaming for a livelihood. Mr, Winters has gath- for the battles of life in the schools of that sec- 
ered about him a family of seven children: James tion. He was united in marriage with Lois 
C. of New Castle; Maggie E., who married C. Mann, and was busied all the active part of his 
Patterson; Molly E.; John C. and Nanny J., life in tilling the soil, not an easy task on the 
twins; Clara: and Eddie W. Mr. \\''inters is a rocky hills of his native State. Xevertheless, he 
Democrat in politics, heartilv believing in the was prospered, for he left behiud him a record 
princples of that ( )rganzation. He and his wife for well-doing and good management that made 
are connnunicants of the Roman Catholic the name of Lawrence respected far and wide in 
Church, and take an active interest in all mat- the eastern home. Three children made up the 
ters that are caluclateil to advance the interests family. They were: h'ranklin: Lucmda; and 
of the conmnmity in which they live. James M., our subject. Lucinda, the daughter, 

became the wife of Dr. Stein of Grove City, and 

they have three children — Josephine, Mary and 

Laura. The familv of Joseph Lawrence were, 

naturally enough, brought up to reverence the 

JAMES M. LAWRENCE, (jf rugged New teachings of the Congregational Church, and 

England stock, but now one of the foremost observe its rules of Christian living. 

men of the number who have made Lawrence James M. Lawrence, after pursuing a thorough 

County famous for its fine farms and excellent course in the common schools, himself became a 

agricultural products, has lived in Plain (Irove teacher, and taught school twenty-two quarters 

township for the fifty-six years past. He is a or terms. He followed this calling for about three 

man who has seen the Nation rise exhausted years until 1838, when he came into Pennsyl- 

from a victorious battlefield, on which our pres- vania. After a three years' residence in the Key- 

ent lil)erties were won, and with a renewal of stone State, he bought a farm in Plain Grove, 

vigor start in on a fresh struggle with the forces Mercer County, a part which was later set off 

of nature, a struggle which to-day is proven sue- and is now included in Lawrence County. He 

cessful by the happy lives of eighty millions of owned this place for a number of seasons, then 

people. sold it, and purchased another, on which he now 

:Mr. Lawrence was born in Alstead. N. H., Hves. This estate was then in great part wild 

April 16, 1806. His paternal grandfather was a land and very little cultivated. Through his cf- 

native born Englishman, and by calling, a Con- forts he cleared the land lot by lot and as time 

gregational minister. He followed this service passed brought his fiekls into a most excellent 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWREXCE COUNTY. 1U5 

state of cultivation The farm is adapted to al- children have resuhed from this union, as fol- 

most any branch of farming, though perhaps it lows: Hiram C: Harriet A.: Ora M.; and 

is at its best when devoted to stock and grain George E. Mr. Lawrence has reared his family 

raising. Mr. Lawrence is known everywhere as beneath the shadow of the I'resbyterian Church. 

a farmer of the best type, knowing just how co Mr. Lawrence his life long has been a man who 

rightly handle every separate acre of his domain, knew about many interests besides that of his 

He is far above the ordinary in the matter of in- chosen vocation. He cared for an extensive iron 

telligence and all around ability; consequently, business which was at one time conducted in the 

he is a man whose individuality and force oi vicnity of Princeton, Slijipery Rock township, 

character have long been felt. Politically, he is at a place called Rose i^oint, and has at one time 

a Republican of the more conservative school, and another been engaged in various industries, 

and a man whose advice the younger spirits of which have tended toward the development of 

the party are wont to heed. He has filled the this section. He has always been wide-awake to 

ofifice of county commissioner for three years, the resources of the country, and has always 

and for thirty-six years has satisfactorily dis- been active in their development. He also 

charged the duties of justice of the peace. With served as civil engineer on public works for two 

many other useful acquisitions, he understands and a half years, 
surveying, and it is very close guessing to say 
that he has probably done more surveying tlvin 
any other man in Lawrence County. 

In 1844, Mr. Lawrence was married to Saraii 
Chandler of Windhall, \"t., and to them three. j.VMES R. ])( )Lr,Ill':RTV of Mahoning- 
children were born: Asher; Carl; and Abigail, town is a conductor on the P. & \\'. R. K. He 
deceased. Asher Lawrence took for his wife was born at Apollo, Armstrong Co.. Pa., Aug. 
Emma Frances of Crawford Co., Pa.; they now 8, 1849, and is a son of James and .Aim P.. (Rich- 
live in the State of rvlissouri and have three chil- ards) Douglierty. 

dren— James F., Betty B., and Rena. Carl Our subject's father was born at Youngstown, 

Lawrence married Mary Barber of Xortli Liber- Ohio, Oct. 8, 1822. and departed this life for a 

ty, and they have a family that consists of better world July 14. i8gi. He was a manufac- 

Charles VV., Sadie C, James S., John II.. Harry turing cooper, and employed from eight to ten 

H., Ernest B., Frank E., Raymond, and Mary, men most of the linie. Irle was a drum-major of 

Mrs. Sarah Lawrence, the first wife of our sub- the 54th Reg. of Pennsylvania Militia, and when 

ject, passed from this world in 1874 at the age the war broke out he enlisted in the nth Reg. 

of sixty-seven. Mr. Lawrence entered into a Pa. Reserve, serving in the regimental band, 

second union with Margaret Chandler in 1877: and seeing service in the Wilderness Lanipaign. 

she was a daughter of Sanniel T. and .Mary .A. After the war was over, and the greatest army 

(Dennis.m) Chandler of SUppery Rock. ]-"our of modern times had been nnistered out. and 



100 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

the soldiery relurned to occupations of peace, position of yardmaster at New Castle Junction. 
Mr. Dougherty opened up a restaurant in Salts- Since April i, 1896, he has been a regular con- 
burg, and ran it until a short time previous to ductor of the P. & W. R. R. 

his death, when he moved to Hulton, and He was married Aug. 2g, 1871, in Saltsburg, 
was engaged in farming near Logan's r~ddy to Ellen Welch, daughter nf Patrick and Mary 
on the Allegheny River, when his last sick- (McGraw) Welch, and to them have Ijeen given 
nes compelled him to cease from work, and nine children: Harrv P.; James P>., who mar- 
to prepare to leave this life. His wife was Ijorn ried Miss Perdue of New Castle; Charles T.; 
in Blairsvillc, Pa., a daughter of Abraham and Marv Maude; Lennie; Addie; Tillie; Dall; and 
Polly (Banks) Richards; the latter was born l^lla. The family are attendants of the i'resby- 
June i_^, 1825, died Sept. 23, 1893, and was a terian Church. Mr. Dougherty has been a life- 
daughter of Joshua Banks. Abraham Richards long Republican. He is a member of the (.)rder 
was a tinner Ijy trade, and followed that voca- of Railway Conductors, New Castle Division, 
tion at Elder's Ridge, Indiana Co., Pa., where No. 326. 
he died at the age of sixty-eight. He was a 
member of the Lutheran Church. In politics, he 
favored the Republican party, and took a lively 
interest in local afifairs, serving as supervisor of 

his township. GEORGE G. WEINSCHENK. This gen- 
I'Tom the time he was two years old until he tleman for the last (|uarter of a century has been 
was twenty, our subject lived at home with his successfully carrying on tlie business of a gar- 
parents at Saltsburg; he commenced to work in dener in Shenango township, just on the south- 
his father's cooper-shop at an early age, and ern suburbs of the city of New Castle, and on 
continued tmtil he was eighteen vears of age, the land which constitutes his homestead, where 
when he was emplo}ed in the woods about a he located and estal)lished his business in 1873. 
saw-mill for two years. He then traveled w'ith a The home garden comprises twenty-four acres 
circus for a year, and after returning home and in the highest state of cultivation, with over half 
marrying, began his railroad life as a brakeman an acre under glass; fruit and vegetables are 
on the Alleghenv A'allev R. R.; he continued to Mr. \\ einschenk's s])ecialties, although his love 
act in that capacit\- for two years, after which for flowers leads him to grow large quantities 
he was a conductor for the same road until of them, which are, however, for home use only, 
1877. In that year he entered the service of the Besiiles the homestead he owns other tracts of 
B. & (J. R, R., and was a conductor for four land in different places throughout the county, 
years. U|)on leaving the employ of the P.. & ( )., He is an expert in his line of business, having 
he became connected with the P. iS; W. R. R., learned the trade of a gardener in Germany 
and came to Mahoning in i8yi from Alleghen\- when a voung man, and having practiced it at 
Lity, where he had been working, to accept the various places ever since. 



f ' ^ 




PATRICK J. SCANLON 



BOOK OF niOGRAl'lllEs. LAWRENCE COUNTY. K'^ 

Mr. Weinsclicnk was born in (.leradstelten, four children: Annii- M. tlu- wife of Charles F. 

Wurtemberg, Germany. .March lo. 1835, and Alborn, whose biography appears elsewhere in 

was a son of John G. and Katherine (Ketter) this work: Alice; Margaret, deceased: and 

Wcinschenk; John (I. was born in 1804. and William H.. also interested in gardening in 

died about -sixtv years of age: John (i.'s father Shenango township, and whose life history may 

was killed in his vine>ard when John was about be found on another page. Our subject was 

four years old. Our sul)ject received his edu- again married Aug. 12, 1875. to Catherine Sech- 

cation in the splendid educational institutions of ler, who was born at Harmony, Butler County, 

Germany between the ages of six and fourteen, a tlaughter of John and Fannie (Tinstinan) 

When fifteen years of age, he went from home Sechler. the latter a liaughter of .\braham and 

to earn his own living, and has made his own Katherine (Moyer) Tinstman. John .Sechler 

wa_\- since. He learned gardening thoroughly, was a son of Abraham Sechler. Eight children, 

and when twenty-two years old came to .\mer- four boys and four girls, were the fruit of tins 

ican, where he found abundant chances to work second union, as follows: • George, deceased; 

at his vocation. He set sail from Havre. Franco, Emmanuel: Frederick, deceased; Rosa: Samuel; 

in May, 1857, and after a, voyage of 35 days Katherine; Sarah: and Ruth. Both our subject 

landed at New York City, from which place he and his wife are members of the Lutheran 

came at once to New Castle, where he arrived Church. Mr. Wcinschenk has never allied him- 

)nnc 22, 1857. Almost inunediately he secured self with any political party, but votes according 

work with Mr. Butz at Croton, who was then to the dictates of his own conscience. He was 

the leading gardener of New Castle, and was in formerly a member of the I. O. O. F. 
his employ two years, after which he worked 

for Mr. Peebles for a time. Mr. Wcinschenk «»♦*■ 

then went South, and for several seasons had 
charge of private gardens in and about the city 

of Louisville, Ky. At the close of the war, work PATRICK J. SCAXLO.X. This gentleman, 
in that locality ceased to be profitable, and so of whose life we now propose to give a few- 
he returned to Lawrence County in 1865, and salient facts, interesting alike to his many friends 
worked for Mr. Butz again for nearly a year, antl neighbors in Mahoningtown, his present 
and then rented a. tract of land in Taylor town- residence, and to many throughout Ihe comity, 
ship, where he conducted gardening operations is a wealthy contractor, whose fortime has been 
some eight years, and then bought his present accumulated through his work in gradmg and 
farm in 1873, taking possession the following paving. He is a splendid example of what a 
year. man may do by his own efTorts. when he has the 
Mr. Wcinschenk was first married in Pittsburg brains and energy to improve his oi)portumties. 
to Margaret Mack, daughter of Frederick and He was born at Bally Lane. County Kerr\, Ire- 
Margaret (Specht) Mack, and to them were Ix.ru land, Feb. 19. 1845. I le remained on the "ould 



110 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

sod" until his eighteentli year, and attended the East Liberty to Honievvood, one mile at Greens- 
parish schools. On April 4, 1863, he sailed for burg-, one mile at Latrobe, (ine mile at Derry, 
America, which has ever seemed the land of one mile at Conemaugh, and one mile at W'il- 
pnmiise and jjlenty to the down-trodden inhab- more Station. He also graded and paved one 
itants of the Emerald Isle, and landed in New and one-fourth miles on Eorbes Street, Pitts- 
York City, after a singularly long and distress- burg, and in 181)5 graded and paved three streets 
ing journey of thirteen weeks and four days; in Xew Castle, and three more the following 
they encountered at sea a severe storm with year. He now owns two valuable sand and 
heavy head-winds and icebergs, that protracted gravel banks, a brick yard, a stone quarrx', and 
the voyage to such an extent, that the provi- a coal yard. As an illustration of what phenom- 
sions, except by the most careful husbanding, enal success was his, we offer thi.s true state- 
would have never lasteil them till they reached ment: when he came to America in 1863, he was 
port, and as it was, for the last four days the without capital, Init in 1 869 and 1870, he had 
daily allowance was four crackers to each per- $187,000 in the bank, and $40,000 invested in 
son. After landing. Air. Scanlon found work in real estate; few men can produce a record equal 
Brooklyn with a plumber, with whom he worked to this. Since living in Alahoningtown, he has 
a short time, and then found employment cm a served three years as street commissioner, and 
farm at Somerville, X. Y. We next find him three years as a member of the borough council, 
laboring on the docks, where he received $15 a Mr. Scanlon's father was Daniel Scanlon, who 
week, and where he remained very nearly three was bom in Bally Lane, Ireland, where he fol- 
months. From this lie went to work in a coffee- lowed farming; his death took place there in 
mill in Brooklyn. He came to Pennsylvania in iSi^6, when he was aged eightv-seven years; his 
November of 1863, and worked first on a gravel wife did not long survive the shock of his death, 
train at East Liberty, was ne.xt in the employ (jf but passed away three months after at the age 
an oil company, and then became a resident of of eighty-five years. Daniel Scanlon was a son 
Shadyside, at which time he had $200 saved, not of Daniel Scanlon, Sr., whO' married Margaret 
a very bad record for only about a year in this Moriarit}'. Our subject's mother, whose maiden 
country, (joing to Pittsburg, he worked as name was Eleanor C)'Shangasy, was born in 
shipping clerk in a wholesale store for si.x parish Glenn, County Limerick, Ireland, and 
months, and then turned his hand to gardening was a daughter of John and Mary (O'Connor) 
in the employ of Thomas Aiken and Robert ( )'Shangasy. 

Pitcairn. In 1867 he began contracting in earth Patrick J. Scanlon was married in SS. Peter 

work, grading, etc., in the main for railroads, and I'aul's Church in East Lebanon, by Rev. 

although his enterprise has led him to extend his Father J. AI. Bearel, to Honora Scanlon, daugh- 

operations into many other fields of labor. For ter of Edward and Mary (Barrett) Scanlon, both 

the Pennsylvania R. R., he graded from the natives ()f Ireland. This happy union has rc- 

I'nion depot in Pittsburg to Raub Station, from suited in ten children, as follows: Ella M., the 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



Ill 



wife of James Eagen of Voungstown, Ohio; 
Edward P.; Daniel; Mary, deceased; Margue- 
rite; John, deceased; Michael; Patrick; Eugene; 
and Mary. The entire family are communicants 
of St. Mary's Catholic Cluirch of New Castle. In 
politics, Mr. Scanlon is a member of the unterri- 
fied Democracy. Socially, he is a prominent 
nicniher of the Society of the Sacred Heart of 
Jesus; the Ancient Order of Hibcniians; and 
the Emeralds. 

Mr. Scanlon is one of tlic best examples of a 
self-made man that wc have had the opijortunity 
of mentioning in the Cdlnmns of this work, and 
it is with a feeling akin to satisfaction and 
pleasure that we present liis portrait on a jire- 
ceding page. 



JAMES CAM1'15ELL, a retired farmer of 
North Beaver township, whose efforts through 
life have been crowned with success, was born 
in Allegheny Co., Pa., Dec. 14, 1823. He was a 
.son of James and Mary (Cunningham) Camp- 
bell, and grandson of Robert and Esther (Pat- 
terson) Campbell, both of whom were born in 
County Down, Ireland. 

Robert Campbell, the grandsire, a man of 
education and refinement, was a teacher of high 
and scholarly attainments, and in addition un- 
derstood the trade of a weaver. Coming to 
America, his only daughter died at sea, but his 
son, James, the father of our subject, remained 
to him. After his arrival in this country, Rob- 
ert Campbell spent some little time in looking 
al)Out for a favorable place in which to make his 



permanent abiding-place, and finally purchased 
400 acres of land in Ross and Pine townships, 
Alleghenv County. He made his home on the 
portion of the property that was in Ross town- 
ship, and for many years successfully followed 
teaching, weaving and farming, becoming a 
leading spirit of that growing section. He died 
when four score years of age. leaving all of his 
accumulated property to his only son, James 
Campbell, Sr., father of the present James 
Campbell. 

James Campbell, Sr., was early married to 
Miss Mary Cunningham, daughter of a well and 
favorably known family, and seven children 
sprang from this union: Robert; John; James; 
Hugh; Abram; Samuel; and Nancy: all of whom 
grew to noble manhood and womanhood. James 
Campbell, Sr., lived to the age of seventy-two, 
and his Ijeloved wife was permitted to behold 
sixtv-ninc summers of mortal earth. The father 
of the subject of this article was a vigorous, stir- 
ring man in the community, respected and liked 
by all. He was a Whig and afterwards a Repub- 
lican of earnest convictions, being relied on by 
his fellow party-members for sound advice, lie- 
sides being a kind parent, he was a firm Chris- 
tian, and a leading member of the Reformed 
Presbyterian Cluirch. 

lames Campbell, the son, was reared and 
educated in his native township, receiving all the 
advantages possible in the newly settled coun- 
try. He inherited a share of the ])aternal estate, 
amounting to 112 acres, and thereon erected a 
new house and barns, and followed general 
farming until 1869, when he sold his place, and 
removed to North I'.eaver township, where he 
bought tlie Dr. Smith farm of 204 acres. Tliis 



112 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

tract of land was and is now one of the choicest seen tiie land, chosen of his fathers, develop, 

pieces of farniinsj property in the county. Since prosper, and wax great. Even in times of 

he became the proprietor of the estate, Air. trouble, when the nation's future was overcast 

Campbell has made many marked improve- with great ominous clouds of rebellion, Mr. 

ments, permanent in their character. He re- CampbelFs stock of sturdy Americanism, iuher- 

modeled the house at a great expense, built a ited from those who builded and builded well, 

handsome large barn 64x44, with basement and never failed him, and he stands to-dav a 

every convenience, and set acres of ground with type of what a hiyal, honorable and upright 

the finest varieties of orchard fruits. An up-to- man should be. 
date dairy has always been a feature of Mr. 

Campbell's estate, and no finer stock grazes on ^ ■ ^ » ^ 

the hills of the county than can be found in his 

pastures. RtlBERT WALLACE. Lawrence County 
When a young man, Mr. Campbell linked his has a well-established reputation for her manu- 
fortunes with those of Eliza Ellen Dodds, factures and also for her ftiod-products, especial- 
daughter of Robert Dodds of Allegheny Co., ly fine fruits, anfl so, in giving the lives of the 
I'a. ; she bore him five children, namely: John, representative men of the countv, we should l)e 
who married Ella Duff, and lives on the home- loath to omit the name of the well-known gen- 
stead, assisting his father in its prt)per care; tleman which heads this sketch, for lie takes a 
Harvey James, who wedded IClla Paden, and is foremost place among the progressive and prac- 
the father of two bright children — Edna and tical fruit-growers and farmers of the county. 
Rali)h; he has built a tine set of buildings on the He is no stranger to most of our readers, for his 
homestead and follows farming as a pursuit; wIkiIc life has been spent in Lawrence County, 
Evada l'>., Sarah M. and Lulu all died \oung. where his ancestors for many generations back 
James Campbell, his whole life through, has made their homes; it is thus with added interest 
been a worthy successor of an excellent ances- as the life of a descendant of early pioneers of 
try. The influence nf the ("anipbell famil\- has the county will this sketch of an eminent citizen 
always been felt in shaping the affairs oi the appeal to whomsoever takes up this book and 
commonwealth for the best. The affairs of the glances over its pages. Mr. Wallace was born 
day, whether private or public, awaken in him in Scott township, Lawrence CoxnU\. July 2, 
the same lively interest as of yore. He has been 1837, and is a son of William R. and Isabella 
a sincere Republican since the formation of the (McCracken) Wallace, grandson of Robert and 
party, and may be always found in the front I'ilizabeth (Reeder) Wallace, and great-grand- 
ranks, championing the cause which he Ijelieves son of John and Mary (Ale.xander) Wallace. 
and knows to be right. He is a Christian gen- |<ihn Wallace was born in County Antrim. Ire- 
tleman, and a devoted meiuber of the Westfield land, and was a son of Robert and Mary (Knox) 
Presbyterian Church of Mt. Jackson. He has Wallace of the same district. Robert died there, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 113 

and his wife and four sons, James. John, Robert, was a justice of the peace for many years, tilled 

and -Samuel, came to America before the Revo- the office of county commissioner with rare dis- 

lutionary War. John, with ready sympathy for cretion and judgment, and served in the State 

the oppressed colonists of the new land, and fel- militia as colonel. His wife, although bowed 

low-citizens, took part in the war, and was pres- down with the weight of eighty-four years, is 

ent at several important engagements. lie mar- bright and active, and makes her home at the 

ried earh- in life and settled in Washington homestead. She is the mother of the following 

County, but at a later period came to Union chikiren: Robert: Jacob; William; John; 

township, this county, and bought land which (ieorge; and Mary E. 

he left to his sons at his death His son, Robert. Robert Wallace continued to live under the 
when thirteen years of age went into Scott town- shelter of the parental roof, assisting his father 
ship, and took a tract of land, on which he felled in his agricultural labors, until his marriage, 
the trees and set up a structure of logs for a Xov. 2, 1859,10 Sarah Young, daughter of David 
shelter and a dwelling-place; to that home he and Jane (McGuflfey) Young. David Young 
brought his bride and there reared his family; was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., and was a son 
late in life, however, he moved back to Union of William and Mary (Elder) ^'oung, and grand- 
township, and lived on a part of the land which son of John and Mary (White) Young, who 
his father luul owned, dying at the age of sixty- were of Scotch descent. T^avid Young when 
five, being survived by his wife, who attained seventeen years old came to Union township, 
the age of ninety-seven. He served as a major and settled on the farm, now owned by Mr. \\'al- 
in the War of 1812 at b'ort Erie. In his religious lace, taking up 186 acres, and building a log- 
views he was strongly inclined toward Presby- house in which to live while clearing the farm, 
terianism. His family was composed of the fol- His father had previously settled where the 
lowing children: -Mary; Harriet; William R.; Thomas \'oung farm is now. and died there. In 
Elizabeth: Sarah; Robert: and Jane. 1852 David Young built the brick house still 
William R. Wallace, our subject's father, sue- standing and used as a residence by Mr. Wal- 
ceeded his parent on the Scott township farm, lace: it was built in the old colonial style with 
l)Ut s|)ent his last years in Union township, de- four large chimneys. ( )n this farm Mr. Young 
parting this life there at the age of eighty-four, passed away at the age of eighty-four; his wife 
He followed general farming all his days, and lived to be only tifty-two years old. Their chil- 
his untiring efforts were invariably crowned with dren were: Mary; Elizabeth; Hannah: Aman- 
success. enabling him to keep his family in com- da: and Sarah. Mr. Young's wife had one child 
fort and to provide them with all they needed to b\ lier fir.st marriage with Joseph Stewart — 
enjoy life after a proper, sedate fashion. He was Anna J. After his marriage, Mr. Wallace con- 
a Whig an<l then a Republican in his political tinned to live on the old homestead until 1870, 
views, and took a prominent part in the local when he bought the farm he now owns and op- 
])olitics of the conununitv in which he lived; he erates. which had been the old Young home- 



Hi 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



stead, Ijut had changed hands after David 
Young's decease. ( )n this farm he lias lived 
since, making many improvements that reflect 
credit on his good judgment and progressive- 
ness; he buih a liandsome three-story barn 40X 
66 and a carriage house, whicli, with the substan- 
tial brick house built by the first owner, make 
a set of farm building's in which nothing more 
can be desired. He has twenty acres of fruit 
orchards, planted to standard varieties of apples, 
pears, peaches, plums, cherries, etc., raising as 
high as I., SOD bushels of peaches of the best vari- 
eties in nne year. He also has a flue dairy, in 
which he takes considerable pride. Besides the 
Young homstead on which he lives, he owns his 
father's old homestead, which has not been suf- 
fered to fall into disuse but claims an equal share 
of his attention and is kept in a high state of 
cultivation. 

Mr. Wallace in his political views is a I'opu- 
list, and is pronounced and decided in his opin- 
ons, which are the result of extended study and 
deep researcli. He is very popular among his 
fellow-citizens, and although no oil"ice-seeker he 
has been a school director for twenty-five years. 
All the family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. The following children have been born 
to him and his excellent wife: Jennie, who mar- 
ried X. A. ( )fTutt, and has one child, Eva lielle; 
William 1\., who died when one year old; Isa- 
bella, a teacher; David, who married Alcetta 
Morrison and lives on the old Wallace home- 
stead; William W., a teacher by profession, a 
graduate of the Xew Castle Ilusiness College, 
but now assisting his father on the farm; Lizzie 
G., a teacher; Robert 1'.., who died in his youth; 
and Frank H., a musician. 



SAMUEL P. EMERY', the subject of this 
short biography, is one of New Castle's prom- 
inent voung attorneys; his office is located at 
Room 7, Pearson Building, where he devotes 
the greater part of his working hours to the 
lire|)aration of his cases before the court, to con- 
sultations with his numerous body of clients, 
and to the conducting of a general law business. 
He is a son of William S. Emery, and grandson 
of David Emery, who was born in 1800. (Jur 
subject's grandfather was one of the early set- 
tlers of the town of New Castle, and followed 
the trade of a blacksmith until he was chosen the 
first sheriff of Lawrence Countv, upon the 
county's organization in 1841). After serving 
his term as sheriff, he became interested in rail- 
road building, and was engaged in railroad con- 
tracting until the war broke out, when he was 
appointed postmaster of New Castle, holding 
that position during the war. The latter ])art of 
his life was spent in easy retirement, his death 
occurring in 1882. His life comi^anion was 
Sarah jack, a native of Butler Co., Pa.; she 
lived to be eighty-two years of age. Six chil- 
dren made up the family, as follows; Benjamin; 
J. Reed; William S.; :\Iary A. (Kiefer); Lso- 
phena (Nessle); and Samuel. 

William S. Emery, the father of Samuel P., 
was Ijorn in Xew Castle in 1836, and was reared 
to manhood and educated in his native town. 
During the period in which his father was post- 
master, William S. served as assistant. In 1868, 
he and his brother J. Reed Emery became asso- 
ciated in the grocery business, and the partner- 
ship continueil unbroken until 1873; I'C was 
located at the Old Stone Corner. He married 
Margaret C. Curry, a daughter of Samuel Curry 




JOSEPH BURNLEY HARDAKER. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 117 

of Butler County, and upon liis death in 1890 Before his retirement from active business pur- 
was survived by her and his only child, Samuel suits he was well-known in mercantile circles 
P. Emery, the subject of our sketch. Mr. Emery as a substantial citizen, whose industry, strict 
was a strong Republican, served in tlie com- integrity, pleasant manners, and iionorable cliar- 
nion council of the city, and was known as an acter entitled him to a high ])laco in the esteem 
indefatigable and faithful party-worker. of the conmumitv. 

Our subject was born in the city of New Cas- His father. Richard Hardaker. was a skilled 

tie, .Sept. 30, 1864, received his common school mechanic in the manufacture of machinery in his 

education in the grammar schools of New Cas- native country of lingland, where he lived until 

tie, and was advanced at (ieneva College, at his death. Our subject's mother. Sarah (I'.urn- 

Beaver Falls, Pa., graduating in the class of ley) Hardaker, died only eight days after Joseph 

1887. He studied law in the office of Dana & H. was born, and she surrendered him to the 

Long of New Castle, and was admitted to the care of her father, Joseph Burnley, who reared 

bar in June, 1889. J't- inmiediately opened a him, and with him, in 1832, came to America in 

law office in New Castle, and is still actively en- the ship General Williams, sailing on the 1st of 

gaged in the duties of his profession. In 1890 August, and arriving at .\ew York on Sept. 10, 

he was elected a member of the council from the 18^2. Thev settled in Erie, Erie Co., Pa., but 

Fourth Ward, and was cho.sen chairman ■>! the later removed to l-:ast Bro«jk in this county, and 

council by his colleagues. He remained a mem- there our subject's grandfather became inter- 

ber of the council twenty-one months, and then ested in the manufacture of woolen fabrics, hav- 

resigned to accept the office of district attorney, i„jr been a manufacturer in that line, when a 

which he held for a term of three years. resident of England. He lived to be eighty-eight 

years old. 

Jose|)h r>. liardaker early in life enlereil into 

mercantile business, being located at I'^ast 

Brook fourteen years, and then sixteen years in 

JOSEPH 1)CR.\LE\' H.VRl.t.VKER, whose Xew Ca.stle: after this he was engaged for nine 

portrait we publish on the opposite page, for years in the hanking business, and the last fif- 

many years an honcjred and highly respected teen years of his life were spent in retirenienl. 

citizen of this county, was born in Yorkshire, He ac(|uire(l an enviable reputation as an up- 

England, nine miles from the city of Leeds, Feb. right, conscientious and obliging merchant, and 

4, 1815. He departed this life at his residence with this reputation also accumulated a c<im- 

3t No. 35 Croton Avenue, Xew Castle, April 14, fortable fortune. He was vice-i)resident of the 

1897. He died suddenly of apoplexy, and, al- h'irst .Vational Bank of Xew Castle for nine 

though he was eighty-two years of age at his years luilil i<SXo, when feeling that he wi)ulcl 

decease, he carried his years well, and was ac- like to retire from business and enjoy the years 

tive and vigorous up to the day of his death. remaining to him. he closed out all those husi- 



118 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, lA WRENCH COUNTY. 



ness interests that re(|uire<l his constant i)ersonal 
attention, and took an extended tonr throngh 
Great Britain, visiting especially his native home 
Eccleshill, which from a small village, as he left 
it to come to the New World, had grown to a 
large and prosijerous town, being altered almost 
beyond his recognition. The following vear, in 
company with his wife, Mrs. Lizzie Hardaker, 
he made another visit to ( ireat P.ritain, spending 
eiglit months abroad. After this tour he re- 
tiirnetl to New Castle, where he was very highly 
respected and where he enjoyed the comforts of 
a ])leasant home, and the rest which he had so 
fully earned by a long and active business life. 
In his later years he managed with great care 
and good judgment the means and property he 
had accumulated in business. He was naturally 
of a social and friendl\- disposition and greatly 
enjoyed tlie com|)any and conversation of his 
neighbors and accjuaintanees. 

Mr. Hardaker married Miss I'rances (dover. 
daughter of James ( dover, who came from Eng- 
land to America in the same ship as our sub- 
ject. Mrs. Hardaker died in February, 1859. 
Several years afterward Mr. Hardaker was 
joined in marriage with his second wife, ]Miss 
Elizabeth Robinson, daughter of Thomas Rob- 
inson of Erie, Pa., who survives him and still re- 
sides in New Castle. Mrs. Hardaker is of Eng- 
lish descent. She is a genial, pleasant lad\- and 
has ac(|uired a large circle of friends in the 
c< lunty. 

In church affairs she is a Methodist and takes 
great interest in church work. She has Inroad 
and lil)eral views toward other denominations 
and any deserving charity will find in her a 
friend. 



JOSEPH T. WALTER has for many years 
held an envialile ])osition amt)ng the first farm- 
ers of Mahoning township, and indeed of Law- 
rence County. The high repute in wliich he is 
held conies not only from his being the worthy 
son of good ancestors, Vuit also from the adnnr- 
a1)le manner in which he has lieen living out his 
pre-eminently useful and bus\' life. 

Mr. Walter is a grandson of Anthony Walter, 
w lio years ago was one of the first mill-owners 
of Western Pennsylvania, owning and operating 
mills first at Turtle Creek, Allegheny County, 
and later at a ])oinl in Columl.iiana County, 
( )liio. Anthony Walter followed the milling 
business for many years with success. Penally, 
desiring to change his occupation, he sold his 
mill interests, moved to Crawford County, Ohio, 
and bought a good farm, which he thereafter 
cultivated. He had in youth married a Miss 
Hawks, and they both lived to an advanced age, 
following peaceful agricultural pursuits. Their 
children were: Conrad, William, John, An- 
thony, Joseph, Daniel, Elizabeth, Sarah, Susan, 
Jacob, David and (leorge. 

William, the second son and the father of our 
subject, was l)orn in Westmoreland County, and 
when still a lad had learned the milling business; 
after working at his trade at home for some 
vears, he went to Lowell, < )hio, where he found 
a good ])Osition in his line of work. Saving 
money by exercising good judgment and rigid 
economy in his business affairs, he purchased 
with his savings in 1833 the Angel mills and a 
farm in Mahoning township, both of which he 
continued to hold and operate until his retire- 
ment from active pursuits in 1856. Pie died at 
Boardman, Ohio, at the age of seventy-nine. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COIWTV. 119 

His will', whom he had married years before, larms to be seen m a section of country whicli 
and who before her marriage was known as Miss is everywliere noted for the excellence of its 
Eh'zabeth Hoggs Simpson, was a native of Ken- agricultural resources. Mr. Walter has a fine 
tuck\-; she reached the age of sixty-four and dairy, and is also a stockholder in the Creamery 
bore to her husband five children, named: .\ssociation. He has a keen eye for a good 
Lewis I.; John W.; Jose])h T. ; William I-'.; and horse, and has raised many of them, which corn- 
Caroline S. mand a good price because of their training and 
Our subject, true to the inclination of his race, bringing-up; he invariably has a fine team or 
in boyhood learned to turn the golden grain two at his command. 

into life-giving flour, and became a master of Mr. Walter was born in Mahoning township 
all the intricate details and the small points of near the western line of Lawrence County, and 
the craft, which are often so necessary for sue- also of the State. March i", 1833. He was mar- 
cess. Of a studious turn, he had at the same ried to Agnes J. Welsh, daughter of John 1'. and 
time assimiliated a goodly amount of book Martha (Lrwin) Welsh. John 1'.. Welsh was 
knowledge, so that at nineteen years of age, he born in Bedford Co., I'a., I'eb. 19, 1800, and 
not only was competent for assuming control of was a son of James C. Welsh, who came as a 
and running well any flouring mill in the land, i)ioneer into that part of the State in 1794, and 
but was also qualified to manage an educational took up four huiidred acres of land. The elder 
mill. This he did, and for seven years was a Welsh suffered all the privations that fall to the 
most competent and successful teacher, his lot of the early settler, living for weeks at a time 
school experience taking him into many of the in the open air. or in a covered wagon. He set- 
then far-Western States and Territories. Lov- tied on his tract of land, built a log-cabin, and 
ing the State of his nativity, and having [iros- lived a happy life, which extended until May 21, 
pered in his work, lie purchased, in 1865, the 1810, his death resulting from a cold contracted 
W'illiam Stanley farm in Mahoning township, from exposure, while going to a distant market 
the place where he now resides. This farm of in the dead of winter. The home was on the 
eighty-four acres was only in fair shape, when place, now owned by William A. Welsh, which 
he bought it, but since he came into possession adjoins the farm of the subject of this sketch, 
new barns and a house have sprung up. acres of The wife of the old pioneer was Agnes, a de- 
orchards and lines of shade trees have been set scendant of I-ieut. James W. McLean of Uevolu- 
out. and a large amount of tiling has been put tionary renown. She died April 18, 1855, at the 
in where needed for under-draining the land. Mr. age of ninety-five. The children were: John 
Walter's ideas are nothing if not progressive, B., Benjamin, W'illiam and V.Wza. 
and he seems to be continually improving his John B. Welsh, the father-in-law of .Mr. Wal- 
surroundings. and bringing his property into a ter. took charge of the home farm at his father's 
finished state of perfection. It is no more than death, and ablv assisted his mother in caring for 
fair to say that he has to-day one of the best the place and in raising the other juvenile mem- 



120 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 

'bers of the family. He finall}- came into tlie pos- large amount of influeiice wherever he is 
session of the estate, and in 1862 erected a fi.'e known. In politics, liis fortunes were early cast 
hrick house. ( )n June 10, 1834, he married with the Democratic party, of which he has al- 
Martha Ewing, daughter of Thduias and Mar- ways been a faithful and reliable member. He 
garet Ewing, and their children were: Agnes, is a prominent member of the Knights of 
Margaret, James A., Samuel, Eliza J., and Will- Pythias, and tlie ( jrand Lodge, having filled 
iam A. chairs in both. .Several offices to which he has 
To Joseph T. Walter and his wife Agnes have been elected by the suffrage of his feilow-towns- 
been given ten children: Ernest J., now a car- men testify to his pojiularity. He is that stamp 
penter in Youngstown, (Jhio, was married first (,f a man and a citizen, who, wherever their lines 
to Anna \'an X'alkenburg, now deceased, ^vho may fall, are ever a positive force, making to- 
made him the parent of two children — (leorgie ward good government and stability. Before he 
G. and Myrtie: his present wife, a Miss Tirza reaches the allotted three score and ten, the 
White, has borne him one child — Kenneth; twentieth century will have dawned, and his 
(ieorge W., a farmer of the State of Missouri, hundreds of friends, who have come to love and 
married Miss Mamie Mungrave, and they have respect him, hope that his life will be spared 
had three children, two of whom, Joseph A., and them many years after he has rounded that hon- 
an infant, are now living; John S. is a farmer in orable mark, 
the State of Washington: Ciuy T., a lawver of 

New York City, married Miss Delia .Smith; .Sam- m-^.^*- 

uel F., a farmer at Hazelton, Pa., is the husband 

of Pearl Roup, and the father of two iiuiocent SETH R. KING, an engineer in the employ 
little daughters— Agnes and Ruth; I^:iiza .\. ; ,,f the Pennsylvania R. R., residing at Mahon- 
Ivanette and Rolla D. came in order named, and ingtown, was born in Erie, Pa,. June 21, 1855, 
live at home. A son and daughter each died in and is a son of James L. and Laura (Bliss) King; 
infancy. the latter was bnrn in the town of Xorth East, 
( )ur subject, as this history shows, comes Pa., a daughter of John Bliss, who was a resi- 
from a family that has had much to do in the ,k-nt of that place. James L. King was born in 
building u]) of the Keystone State, and he mar- \'enango County in Xovember, 1822, and is now 
ried into a family no less distinguished. His residing in Erie, Pa., where he is employed in 
early attainments in the school of travel and ex- the shops of the E. & P. R. R. He is of Scotch- 
experience have been more than those of the or- Irish descent, although for four or five genera- 
dinary man. and he has in the course of his life tions back the ancestors have been citizens of 
been thrown in close contract with many the Cnited States. He is a stanch Republican in 
phases of life and with many kinds of jiolitics. 

men. This has .so develo])ed his judg- Seth R. King was l)rought up in Erie. Pa., 

ment and understanding, that he wields a where he attended the schools until he was four- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



Vl\ 



tccn years of age, when he commenced work in 
the servrce of the E. & P. R. R., in the capacity 
of fireman. After three years as a fireman, 
thoiigli only a l^oy in years, l)eing but seventeen 
years of age, he became an engineer, at which 
time he was employed on the Lake Shore and 
Michigan Southern R. R. He came to Mahon- 
ingtown April 4. 1884, and after a period as 
fireman on the Pennsylvania R. R.. he became 
an engineer, and has continued in that capacity, 
giving the best of satisfaction, and performing all 
his duties in a manner very creditable to himself. 
He was married in Chicago, 111., March 2, 
1892, to Bertha E. Rose, a native of Geneva. 
Ohio, and a daughter of Milton I', and Jennie 
Rose. Mr. Rose was a soldier in the late war, 
is a contractor by occupation, and has taken 
Masonic orders. Mr. and Mrs. King are faith- 
ful attendants of the M. E. Church. Mr. King 
is steadfast in his allegiance to the Republican 
party, and uniforndy supports it whenever it is 
possible for him to get to the polls. He is a 
loyal member of the Brotherhood of Locomo- 
tive Engineers, Erie Division, Xo. 298. 



WILLIAM C. CHAMBERS, ex-postmaster 
and a leading grocer of Mt. Jackson, Xorth 
lieaver townslii]), was born in the same township 
in which he now makes his residence March 20, 
1841, and is a son of John H. and Mary (David- 
son) Chambers, and grandson of William and 
Mary (Hazlett) Chambers. Our subject's grand- 
parents were both born, brought u]) and marrit'd 
in County Down, Ireland; thev came to .Amer- 



ica to seek a new home and lietter their fortunes 
in 1 81 2. and settled directly after their arrival on 
the shores of the Xew World in Xorth P>eaver 
township. He built the first house in Mt. Jack- 
son and gave the location that name. Mr. 
Chambers purchased 220 acres of unimproved 
timber land, and soon after took steps to build a 
structure that should house them temporarily, 
and to clear and prepare the land, so as to pro- 
vide their daily food from the resulting crops. 
He was active and progressive and at his death 
he left a good farm, well-imjjroved. cleared, and 
[jrovided with e.xcellent buildings, adequate to 
the needs of the farm. He reached the age of 
seventy-five years, and left behind him a splen- 
did record for honorable dealings, and noble life. 
His wife was called to her home to enjoy the re- 
ward that comes after a life well spent, at the age 
of sixty-five. Their children were: Samuel; 
Robert; Isabella; Alexander; James; John H.; 
Elizabeth; Mary; and William. 

John H. Chambers followed farming all his 
days, and accumulated a good property; he was 
a sturdy and industrious tiller of the soil, and a 
very practical man in his agricultural methods. 
In political belief, he clung to the principles ad- 
vocated by the Democratic party. He was a 
member of the L'nited Presbyterian Church 
since early manhood, and died in the faith of a 
future resurrection at the age of seventy-one. 
His wife Mary, who is still living, was born Oct. 
20, 1820, and was a daughter of William David- 
son of County Down, Ireland, who came to 
.\merica in 1837, and settled on a fariu in Xorth 
IJeaver township. The children who composed 
the parental family w-ere: Margaret; William 
C, our subject: Mary Jane; Isabella; James, 



122 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

who (lied in his y<iuth; Joliii_D.; Samuel J.; Liz- HIRAM WATSON, a prominent and well- 

zie I').; j(_iseph E.; dforgc; and Rebecca. Six of to-do farmer of Neshannock township, was born 

the foresjoing family are living to-day. on the farm he now owns and operates, Oct. 13, 

William C. Chambers assisted his father on 1822. He is a son of Lot and ^Lirgaret (Hous- 

the farm until h^xW 26, 1861. when he enlisted ton) Watson, the former of Penn Valley, Pa., 

for the defense of his country in the Alt. Jackson and the latter of Mercer Co., Pa. Our subject's 

Cuard. later known after it had been mustered paternal grandfather was a native of Ireland, but 

into the I'. S. service as liattery P>, First Pa. came to this country when a young man. and 

Light Artillery, and served three years to a day; settled in Penn \'alley about 1765 on a tract of 

he was slightly wounded in the Second I'.ull Run land, which he Ijrought into cultivation, and 

and Spottsylvania CtJurt House. He is a mem- where lie made his home, engaged in agricultur- 

ber of Post No. 100, of New Castle, (i. A. R. al iiursuits the remainder of his life, being liigh- 

and is also a member of the I'nion \'et- ly esteemed as a sober, industrit)us citizen, and 

eran Legion, so as to keep in close touch with as one who by unceasing toil and good foresight 

his comrades of the late war. and in banded had accumulated a comfortable competence. He 

union to assist in commemorating in a fitting enlisted and fought in the War of Independence. 

maimer the noble sacrifice of those who were He was a Whig in respect to his political views, 

not so fortunate as they, but who gave up their He and his family were United Presbyterians in 

lives and their all \\\ the defense of the L'nion. religious attachments. To him and his first wife 

The war being over, he returned home and fol- were born the following children: William; 

lowed farming assiduously until October, 1S85, Thomas; John; James; Nancy, who was the 

when he was appointed postmaster, wdiich posi- mother of (len. Irvin; Margaret; and Lot. He 

tion he has since acceptably and honorably filled. married a second time and added three children 

besitles serving one year as a constable. In his to his family: Nellie; Robert; and Joseph, 

mercantile estal.)lishment he carries a full line of Lot ^\'atson was educated in the schools ot 

groceries, confectionery and tobacco, and enjoys Penn X'alley, and in 1805, settled on the farm, 

a liberal patronage from his neighbors and fel- now owned by his son, which he cleared and put 

low-citizens. Mr. Chambers lives in a comfort- in a high state of cultivation. The farm contains 

able residence of his own in Mt. Jackson. He is 157 acres, 100 of which arc \early put to various 

a liberal giver to all enterprises which are calcu- farm crops, and is admirably adapted to general 

lated to benefit the community or the country at farming and stock raising; it is situated about 

large, and has never been known to turn a deaf three miles north of New Castle. Our subject's 

ear to true charity. He has, b\' his energy and father fought in the War of 1812. He was a 

perseverance, made himself what he is, and is Whig in his politics, and served the township of 

recognizetl as one of the foremcjst business men wdiich he was a citizen as school-director, andi- 

as well as res])ected and honored citizens of Mt. tor, assessor, as well as in several minor capaci- 

[ackson. ties. He was twice married. PTis first wife, 



,imS^IR.-v. 




t. 




MILTON S. MARQUIS. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



125 



who was Margaret Cunningham of Xcshannock child, Walter U.; Alice, who married Charles 

township, bore him four children: James; Isa- Donaldson of Xeshannock township, and lias 

bel; William; and Samuel. After the death of three children, J. Koscoe, Harold \V., and Carl 

his first wife, he entered into a second niatri- H.; Harry I.; Rebecca 15., and two that died in 

monial alliance with Margaret Houston, daugh- infancy. The family arc strong Presbyterians, 

ter of Col. Houston, an officer in the Revolu- and Mr. Watson has been a member of the ses- 

tionary .Army, and bv this union he became the sion since 1853. He was a member of the Gencr- 

parent of eleven more children: Hiram; Har- al Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, which 

riet (Fisher); Nancy; Dixon; John; Margaret was held in Saratoga, X. Y., in May, 1896. He 

(McCreary); Lot; Thomas; Sarah (Garrett); is sincere in his conv-ictions, forms his opinions 



with deliberation, and adheres to them with 
inanly courage and fidelity. 



Julia (I'oyd); and Elizabeth (Love). In his re- 
ligious leanings he was a L'nited Presbyterian. 
His death occurred in 1863. when aged seventy- 
seven years; his second wife departed her life in 
1877, aged seventy-five years. 

Hiram Watson attended school and worked 
on the farm till he was twenty-eight years old, MILTON S. MARQUIS. The history of 
and then left home, but still followed the same ^vcry city of progress and enterprise always in- 
occupation of farming. In 1863, he returned eludes the biographies of certain of its cnterpris- 
to the i)aternal estate, which he purchased at \n„ citizens, who have made themselves espe- 
that time, and has since been very successfully cially prominent in forwarding the growth and 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a Re- development of the place, and these men of in- 
publican in his politics, and has held the offices domitable will and unconquerable energy almost 
of school director, assessor, supervisor, and took invarial)ly have arisen from honorable though 
the census of the township in 1880. humble walks of life, and have surmounted the 

Mr. Watson was married in 1850 to Rebecca ladder of success step by step till they reach a 

Gibson, daughter of William Gibson, and this position that is the cynosure of the eyes of their 

union has been abundantly blessed with eleven fellow-citizens. To this class of citizens, whom 

children: Harriet I enevra, who married first Os- the people denominate as self-made, we mu.st 

car Hazen, and had one child, Roy, and on the surely include Mr. .Mar(|uis, who is a manufac- 

death of her first husband married James Mar- turer of brick and dealer in limestone, and also 

tin; Margaret, who married l-"rank .Maitland of connected with many of the important nianufac- 

Youngstown, Ohitj; William A., who married turing interests of Xew Castle. His record 

Edith Mitchell, and has seven children — I'Vank. offers a si>lendid example of what may be accom- 

Mary R.. Howard, Irene, Edgar, Albert, and an plished in an up-hill struggle by one to whom no 

infant unnamed; Sarah; Thomas, who married discouraging obstacle offers a complete barrier 

.•\lfretta Bowles of Topeka, Kan., and has one to progress. 



12G BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Our subject was Jjorn in Beaver Co., I'a., tain of a canal boat. Witb a prudent thougbt 
March 15. 1830, and is a son of John and Ehza- for the future he saved his earnino;s and invested 
beth (JMcMillen) Marquis. John Marquis was his money. Inlying a one-half interest in a canal 
a native of Washington Co., Pa., and a dcscen- lioat, and later secured the entire interest; he 
dant of a family of French Huguenots, who were so well managed his interests and took advan- 
driven by religious persecutions to Scotland: tage of the prosperous times on the canals, that 
thence they emigrated to Mrginia, then a new- he at one time owned seventeen boats and ear- 
ly-organized colonv, and landed at the head of ried on a large freight and packet business. In 
the James River in 1706: from there in succeed- i860, with O. H. P. Green he built and put on 
ing years they made their way westward, and the canal a propeller or jiacket boat, and ran 
finallv caiue into \\'ashingt<in Co., Pa., where from Warren, ( )liio, t(.) the Ohio River, and 
they permanently settled. John Marcpiis early in down the river to Wheeling, West \'irginia. 
life supported himself by teaching in tiie district When the canal was finally abandoned, he en- 
schools. He never allowed himself to l(_ise the tered into the limestone business with Mr. 
advantages of his good school-training, but Green, and Ijought and operated limestone 
studied very much and was a great reader. He quarries at Mahoningtown ; later on the com- 
learned the carpenter's trade, and settled in pany Ijecame Green, Marcpiis & Sliinn, then 
Beaver County, where he bought a farm, and Shinn was succeeded bv Geo. W. Johnson, and 
became a very popular man, well known for his still later the company became Marquis & John- 
good judgment, and was often called upon to son, which continued until 1888, when the part- 
give his advice in medical matters. He was a nership was dissolved, and the property divided, 
clerk in the church, and held many of the town Mr. Mar(|uis taking the plant, where he is at 
ofifices, retiring in his later years to Lisbon. present located in New Castle, and where he has 
C)hio, where he became nearl)- ninety years of since manufactured brick and dealt in limestone, 
age; his wife died some years his junior. Their He started in to manufacture l)rick with a ca- 
children were: David; James; Martha; Samuel; pacity of 5,000 a day, and now turns out an aver- 
William; and .Milton S., the subject of this per- age of go,ooo, employing in and around his 
sonal narrative. limestone quarries, l)rickvard, muUers, presses 

Our subject started out in life at a very early and kiln upwards of 125 men; since 1888, he has 

age, with only a district school education, but manufactured nearly all the Ijrick that has been 

splendidly equipped with an ambitious spirit needed for Inulding purposes in New Castle, and 

and an exceptionally fine judgment, which need- also ships large quantities outside; besides or- 

ed only the school of experience to adapt it to dinary building brick, he also manufactures a 

every need and to broaden its powers and capa- fine quality of fire brick, and buff and red 

bilities. His first pursuit was in jjoating on the pressed brick, and street-paving brick. He is a 

old "Cross-cut" and Beaver X'alley Canals, and stockholder in the Shenango Valley Steel Co., 

at the age nf nineteen years we find him a cap- Lawrence Glass Co., and Thompson Run Coal 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 127 

Co.; he is also president and sole proprietor of ESQ. WILSOX W. MICIIELTREE. This 

the New Castle & Butler R. R., a stockholder jjentleman, although well advanced in years, is 

in the New Castle Steel & Tin Plate Co., and in still ])roniinent in the business circles of the vil- 

the Shcnango \'allev R. R. Co. Durinij the con- lage of lulenhiug, Mahonin.sj township, and in 

tinuance of the firm of Creen, Marcjuis & John- addition to carrying on a large and prosperous 

son, .Mr. .Martpiis and Mr. Johnson engaged ex- drug business, has also discharged the duties of 

tensively in the cattle business, buying large the federal office of postmaster. He was born 

droves aggregating as high as 9,000 head, driv- near Sharon, Mercer Co., Pa., Aug. 8, 183 1, and 

ing them through the Indian Territory to Xe- was a son of Thomas and tjrace (Ervin) Michel- 

braska, where the cattle were fattened and jnu tree, and grandson of James Micheltree. The 

in shape for tin- market; this l)usiness continued latter was born in the northern ])art of Ireland, 

about two years imder the suiiervisionOf Mr. and became a citizen of the Cnited States early in 

Marquis. life, supporting hjmself and family at his occu- 

C)ur subject married Miss Martha StofFer, i)ation t)f farming; he located in Mercer Coun- 
daughter of John and Nancy Stofifer, and has ty, where he rounded out his career as an es- 
eight children, seven of wiiom are living. 'Ihe teemed. u])right and ]iatriotic citizen. His son 
record is as follows: Elizabeth, who married Thomas succeeded him on the farm, and made a 
F. W. liiddle, who is now deceased, leaving sev- decided success of his efTforts in introducing prac- 
en children; Laura is a clerk in her father's tical agricultural methods, and at his death there 
office; William II., who married Carrie Jones, at the age of sixty-six left one of the best farms 
is superintendent and mana.ger of the brick in the vicinity to his heirs. Mis wife lived to en- 
works, and has one child, Harold !•:.; Charles I), joy ninety-six years, and was active and in tiie 
is a bookkeeper in the brick works; Grace full ])osses,sion of her faculties to tiie last. Our 
Greenwood is the wife of Cliarlcs Greer; Ida subject's parents were highly esteemed in the 
lives at home; Harry, deceased; Frank W. mar- wide circle of thir acquaintances as people of 
ried Lucy Miller, and is an assistant at the true and earnest lives, and as kindly and agree- 
works. Mr. Marquis was originally a Whig able friends and neighbors. This union was 
in politics, then became a Republican, and" fruitful in the birtii of the following children: 
is at i)resent affiliated with the Proiiibitiun James, M. D.; Ervin: Montrose; J. Calvin. 
])arty. He is a member of tiie M. E. M. D,; Wilson W.. our subject; iMillerton; and 
Church, and a memi)er in good standing of the Grace E. 
I. (). C). J-". Wilson \\'. Micheltree lived with his father on 

In connection witlt this narration of Mr. Mar- the farm in Mercer County, until 1858, attending 

quis' successful life, tlie publishers of this Book as a l)oy the district schools, and then igiving his 

of l!iogra])iiies esteem it a great ]ileasure to pre- whole time and strength to the care of the farm 

sent his portrait, which api)ears on a preceding when he became old enough. \\ hen he was 

page in iiroximitv to this. twenty-seven years of age he came to Edenburg, 



128 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

where his older l)rother, Dr. James jMicheltree, for complaint, for many long years until his res- 
had been located, engaged in building up a ignation in 1897. He is a faithful member of 
medical practice for the six years previous. Put- the Disciples Church, and belongs to the local 
ting their resources together, they built a store. Knights of Pythias Lodge. He built the home 
stocked it with a full line i:)f ilrugs, medicines, where he lives and dispenses hospitality and 
toilet articles, and other such accessories of a good cheer to his many friends and ac(|uaint- 
complete drug store, and embarked in business; ances, and is althogether a very public-spirited 
thev also dealt in groceries. I'rom that date, citizen, and one wdio is deeply interested in the 
1858, until Dr. Micheltree's death in 1893, t'l'^.''' growth and development of the township, and 
were associated in Inisiness as ei.[ual partners, the county at large. He is one of the oldest, most 
Dr. Micheltree's jiractice was general in its char- reliable and enterprising citizens resident within 
acter, and large in its tliniensions. He was one the l.iorders of Alahoning township. He is ]jopu- 
of the best and most successful physicians and lar both socially and from a lousiness point of 
surgeons in his part of the county, and won the view, his genial politeness and his sterling integ- 
confidence of a greater part of the population in rit\- and worth winning him a hearty patronage 
the townshi]3, and the townships adjoining. His and a large circle of friends. No druggist has 
death was a great loss to many families, who been so long in the liusiness in the township, or 
had employed him for years as the family physi- understands better the fundamental principles of 
cian, and had learned to depend entirely on his the pharmaceutical professicjn. 
efforts for success in battling disease. Since 

his partner's and brother's death, our subject ^^.^^^m. 

has carried on the business alone, giving a large 

part of his time to maintaining the aforetime LUTHER H. SAMPLE, Esq., a leading 

high standard of the store. resident of Mahoningtown, was born in AUe- 

Mr. Micheltree married Lovina Part, daugh- gheny City, Pa., July 13. 1833, and is a son of 

ter of James P'art of this county, and to them Thomas and Margaret (Logan) Samj)le. whose 

was born one child, Mary ]\I., who married marriage occurred in 1816. 

l-'rank S. Patterson, a l)Ookkeeper at Lawrence Thomas Sample was the second white child 

Junction fur the I'"ort W'a^ne K. R. He is de- born north of the Alleghenv River in I'ennsyl- 

cided in his opinions on political subjects, and vania — (ien. William Robinson lieing the first; 

fearless in the expression of his views: he has when Allegheny City was incorporated under a 

been a life-long Democrat, and served the town- city charter. Gen. Robinson was the first mayor 

shii) as a justice of the peace from 1874 to i88l), and Thomas Sample the second. The latter's 

when his health compelled him to resign and to birth took place Jan. 8, 1791. He made Alle- 

return the connnission. He has also performed gheny City his home from 1812 to 1843, during 

his full share of public duties as the postmaster, a which period he ser\'ed twenty years as justice 

|.)Osition he acceptably filled, leaving no groun<l of the jx-ace. In 1843, ■^I'"- Sam])le leased his 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 129 

extensive tannery, and bought a large farm near to yield him a comfortable income and enough 
Mahoningtown, and here made his home the re- more, so that he accumulated a large fortune for 
maindcr of his life, devoting much of his time to that time and locality. His death occurred on 
the cultivation and propagation of fruits and his estate at an advanced age in 1842. Of the 
flowers. His business interests in Allegheny City ten chiklren born to our subject'.s parents five 
kept him no small portion of the time en route survive, namely: James T., a veteran of the 
between his farm and the city. He was a son Mexican War; Mary, the widow of William 1'. 
of James Sami)le, who married Christiana Tag- Eichbaum, now residing in Xew Castle; 
gart, daughter of James Taggart, an early set- Thomas, who is engaged in farming at Ashville, 
tier of Cumberland County. Our subject's Ohio; Luther H., our subject; and Rev. J. 
mother, Margaret (Logan) Sample, was born Logan. The latter is an able and elociuent di- 
Warcli 5. 1794, and died in 1882; she was a vine, who has a record for one of the most 
daughter of Jas. Logan, who was born in County unic|ue trips through the West of any preacher, 
Down, Ireland, and married a Miss Watt, whose living or dead. Having located a claim at Stur- 
relative, James Watt, will ever be remembered gis, Dakota, lie started out with his team and 
for his ser\'ices to the world in the discovery of carriage for an evangelizing tour through the 
the expansive powers of steam, and his proposi- mountainous regions, and during this journey 
tion for the utilization of this great force in the he traversed the States and Territories of Dako- 
sciences and manufactures. Although Miss ta, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, California, Xeva- 
Watt was small of stature, the rest of the fam- da, Arizona, Colorado, and then back through 
ily were very tall, the total heighth of three Wyoming to his starting-point. Sturgis. 
brothers aggregating'nineteen feet; most of the Luther H, Sample lived in Allegheny City un- 
family settled in \irginia. James Logan, whose til he was nine years of age, when his parents 
mother was a Miss Wilson, came from Ireland moved to the farm, which is now his home witli- 
and settled in the Allegheny River \ alley eigh- in the present borough limits of Mahoningtown. 
teen miles above Pittsburg, locating on the After completing a district school education he 
banks of the river, and establishing Logan's advanced a step farther by pursuing an extended 
Ferry. He also purchased some six or eight course of instruction in the Xew Castle Acad- 
hundred acres of land, and o])ened an inn for einy under the tutelage and supervision of the 
tin- refreshment of travelers near a basin in the Rev. Robert Audley Brown. When eighteen 
river, known as Logan's Eddy. It was a favorite years old, he went to Alleghenv C'ity, and en- 
place for the river men, who made it a stopping tered a drug store to learn tlie profession of a 
place for meals and lodging. He also kept and i)harmacist, but after three years he gave up his 
dealt in household necessities, having a well- situation to come home and run the home farm, 
furnished general store in connection with his which has father proposed selling, Luther H. 
tavern, 'ihese various interests, with what ])rof- and his youngest brother, the Rev. J. Logan 
its he made in his farming operations, conspired Sam])k'. imrcliased the farm, and Luther H. has 



130 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

made it liis hdine cvur since, enjo_\-ing the niati\' JAMES CONNOR, a member of the enter- 
good things of life that have come to him prising grocery firm of Cunning & Connor of 
tlirough the successful operation of a fertile and New Castle, was born in the aliove Umn. July 
well-disposed farm. Among the agriculturists of 8, 1862. He was a son of Christopher and Ann 
Taylor townshi]) he is known as progressive and (Ouinn) Connor, both natives of Countv Meath, 
enterprising, and ready to adopt any new plan Ireland. 

that promises a real advance in the jiresent sys- Christopher Connor learned a branch of the 

tem of farming. iron-maker's trade, and was known as an irim 

Mr. Sample was married in his own residence shearer; he was thus engaged as an iron-worker 

Jan. 29, 1877 to Mary Shamion, a native of until 1886. and since that time has devoted him- 

County Antrim. Ireland, and daughter of self to agricultural jiursuits and teaming. He 

Thomas and Mary (Bordman) Shannon. To gathered about his fireside seven children, as 

them have been granted the following twelve follows: Marv, deceased, who married Francis 

children: Margaret Logan; Mary Bordman: McOuirk, and has two children — Christie and 

Walter Scott; Robert Algernon; Oliver Hazen: Marie: Bridget, who married liarney Rogan, 

Ruth Halsay, deceased: Jane Simpson; an in- and presented him with one child, Esther; Mag- 

fant, that died unnamed; Rachel English; Clara gie; Amia : Christopher, )r. ; Michael; and 

Cooper; Luther Howard, Jr.; and Roy Thomas. James, our subject. The old gentleman, who is 

Mrs. Sain]jle is a member of the Presbyterian remarkably well-preserved for one of his age. 

Church, and well beloved by all who have tiie takes a keen interest in local politics, and is an 

pleasure of her acquaintance. Mr. .Sample in unflinching adherent of tlie Democratic party, 

his political views is an uncompromising Repul)- The family are faithful connnunicants of the 

lican, and has s'erved his township in every office Catholic Church. 

that is within the gift of the people; for twenty James C(3nnor. the subject of this short per- 

years he has been justice of the peace. He ranks sonal history, secured a practical education in the 

among the leading and most influential citizens public schools of New Castle and in the Paro- 

of Mahoningtown. and is identified with every chial School of St. Mary's Church of the same 

movement that he considers to be for the real place. When he was old enough to do for him- 

advancement of the conuuunity's interest. He is self, he was placed in the nail null, where he 

liberal and free-handed, and his acts of private learned the nail maker's trade, and remained 

charity, though little known, are yet very exten- there eight years. In i8(}0, he engaged in the 

sive and reflect credit on his generous nature, grocery business for two years, and then in 1892 

He has been a member of ]\Iasonic Orders for returned to his okl employment in the nail mill, 

forty years, and is now a memlier of Mahoning where he labored steadih' and industriously until 

Lodge, No. 243; Delta Chapter, No. 70: and i8t)6. In that year with James Gunning he 

Lawrence Commandery, No. 62; all of New opened uji a grocery store, and their business 

Castle. has grown apace, so that now they are rushed to 




ABRAHAM RHODES. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 133 

kc-tp up with the deniands on them. Strict in- Alirahani Rhodes, who was the tilth of eitrht 
legrity and honorable bnsiness dealings prevail children born to his parents, was ten years old, 
with them, and their success in the present busi- when his parents came to Lawrence County, 
ness is assured. They carry a well-selected and where he attended school, and assisted his father 
varied line of family groceries, and furnish their in the care of the homestead. Shortly after at- 
customers with the best and choicest that the taining his majority, the war broke out between 
market affords. Mr. Connor votes the Demo- the North and the South, and the call to arms 
cratic ticket at elections, and may be found found Mr. Rhodes ready to lend his support to 
regularly at iiis party caucuses. . the Government. He enlisted in Battery 1'.., un- 
der Capt. Cooper, and was with it when it made 
its famous record at the Rattle of Gettysburg; he 
also participated in the bloody battle of Antie- 
tani, and was in the I'.attle of the Wilderness and 
AURAHAM RIKjDKS, a leading carpenter in the Peninsular Campaign, taking part alto- 
and builder of Mahoningtown, and a very highly gether in some twenty-two or twenty-three hard- 
esteemed citizen of that ])lace. was born in York fought struggles. Ci>on the expiration of his 
County, Pa., near Lisbon, Oct. 22. 183K. an<l is first term of enlistment with patriotic fervor still 
a son of Solomon and Rebecca (I'.ender) at fever heat, he enliste.l again, and served an- 
Rhodes, who were married in Lancaster City, other year in Co. G, 2nd Reg. I'a. \'ol. Inf. On 
Nov. II, 1828. Rebecca I'.ender was born in Lan- the close of the war and the return of the soldiers 
caster County, July 10, 1810, and was a daughter to employments of i)eace, our subject took up 
of David Bender, who moved from his native his residence with the old folks on the home- 
county of Lancaster to Lawrence County, where stead, and lived there one year, and then learned 
he purchased a farm near Mahoningtown and the carpenter's trade with his lirother, with 
was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his whom he was associated in building and con- 
death about 1855, at the age of seventy. He was trading a number of years. Since 1885, he has 
followed by his wife a number of years later, she been in business alone. In 1896, he erected a 
having attained the age of seventy-five years, fine, two-.story modern residence on .Mahoning 
Solomon Rhodes was born in York County. Pa.. Avenue, where he and his wife are at home to 
Jan. 22, 1801, and in early life was a miller, but their many friends. It is more than likely that 
latterly owned and operated a farm, securing a Mr. Rhodes has been interested in building 
livelihood by cuhivating Mother Earth. He more houses and places of business in Mahon- 
fought in the War of 1812, and in 1818 crossed ingtown. Pa., than any other contractor, 
the mountains and became a resident of Law- His marriage to .Samantha Elder, daughter of 
rence County. Iniying a farm in North Beaver Robert an<l Jane (^■(nmg) Elder of North 
township, where he lived until his death at the Beaver township, occurred in that township, 
age of sixty-two years. Sept. 16, 1879. Our subject's family comprises 



134 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

tliree nieniljcrs, as follows: Alviii Elder, a clerk parents were Joseph and Rachel (Shipley) Dick- 

in the dispatcher's office at Lawrence Junction; son. The great-grandparents were William and 

L(jreiia J., the wife of h'rank Wallace; and John Jane (Dickson) Dickson. 

A., an assistant ) ard master for the E. & P. R. William Dickson was born in Scotland in 

R. at New Castle junction. ( )ur suljject and his 1722. He removed in his early years to the 

wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, of northern part of Irelantl, where he married, and 

which Mr. Rhodes is an elder and trustee. He from where about 1768 or 1770 he immigrated 

is a Republican in his political views and has to America, locating at Red Stone settlement in 

served as an officer in the borough. Air. Rhodes' Allegheny County, east of Pittsburg. There he 

portrait may be found on a preceding page. liought a small but very desirable place, which 

he later on traded for 850 acres of new land, 
lying one mile east of Dixmont. To this tract 
he repaired in 17C)5, made a small clearing, built 
a rude log-house for temporary shelter till he 
JOSEI'H O. DICKSON is one of the voung ^"O"''' improve upon it, and sowed a little grain, 
men of Mahoning township who has taken u]) T'le "ext year he brought on his family, and be- 
the line of work laid down bv a most honorable .?a" hewing down the giants of the forest in 
line of ancestors, and is most ablv prosecuting earnest. As time passed, he sold off portions of 
the many duties which fall to the lot of the mod- t'le original tract, but at his demise, which oc- 
ern tiller of the soil who wishes to make a sue- curred in 1825, at the age of 103, he left a fine 
cess of his vocation He was born April 2g, estate, which was in nuich lietter shape than the 
1867, on what is now known as the Duff farm. average farm of the new country. To William 
He spent his younger davs in school after the Dickson and his wife, who reached the age of 
usual manner of American youths, and after his ninety, six children were born: Joseph; Will- 
home education had been completed, he lived iam; J^me: Sarah; Hannah; and David. Mr. 
two years in the far West on a rancli. There he Dickson in his religious views was first a Sece- 
became familiar with the ranchman's mode of ''^^r, and later a Presbyterian. In the teachings 
life, and attained great skill in the many arts of ''f the latter church was his family reared, 
the cattle men, such as "breaking" the broncos. Joseph Dickson, the grandfather of the sub- 
"rounding up" cattle, "branding" them, etc., and ject of this sketch, entered the new country with 
being especially proficient in the manipulation his father, and purchased a farm of 252 acres 
of the lasso, that most important adjunct to the about one mile from his father's homestead. He 
cowboy's outfit. Returning home, Mr. Dickson cleared some of the land, Init did not do much 
bought the old homestead, where he has since farming, as he had learned the millwright's trade 
continued to reside. and could not well spare the time when it was 
Mr. Dickson's parents were Captain John C. needed. In 1816, he buiU the first mill ever 
and Mary R. (Crider) Dickson, and his grand- erected on R<ick Island, and followed the milling 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 13.-> 

lousiness as a chosen occupation, lieinsj of a of his word, wliosc promise was as good as his 
decided mechanical and ingenious turn of mind, bond, he was ahva\ s considered a representative 
he was ready to adapt his talents to the varying citizen. His success in life proved the correct- 
needs of the community, even to the making of ness of his ideas and ways. In 1872 he pur- 
cofifins, and the carving and sculpturing of head- chased the farm of ninety acres, where our sub- 
stones. He was a great advocate of temperance, ject now resides. This place, which he rendered 
and being a man of ready speech and of wide more valuable by many improvements, he re- 
information, his influence for the cause was far- tained until his ilealh. May 30. 1894. Besides 
reaching. Politicallv, his affiliations were with rearing a large family, Mr. Dickson accumulated 
the Whigs, and in religion he was a Presbyterian, a large amount of property. His wife, Mary R., 
Always alive to the affairs of the commonwealth daughter of Henry and Amanda C. (Sheets) Cri- 
he was especially interested in the State Militia, der. was born in .Allegheny Co.. Pa. Her father, 
and in 181 1 was commissioned a cai^tain by (iov. Henry Crider. was born in the same county in 
Finlev. Joseph Dickson came into the world 1811. and liveil until 1887: while his wife, born 
in the year 1772. and departed this life in 1845. April 12. 1816. is still alive. Mary R. (Crider) 
His loving wife, born in 1800. passed away in Dickson, widow of Captain John C. Dick.son, 
1866. Seven of the twelve children bom to them and the mother of the subject of this writing, is 
lived to an adidt age; they were: David; Joseph; living and residing at the old home. Her chil- 
. Matilda; John; Sarah; William: and James, dren were: Josephine, who married William F. 
Rachel died when five years of age, and four McCormick of Montana; John C, of Mahoning 
were removed in infancy. townshi]), who marrieil Margaret Wills, and is 
Captain John C. Dickson was born in .-\lle tlie father of two children — Reuben C. and 
ghenv Co.. i'a.. May 3. 1832. where he received Wiley F.; David II., who married Elizabeth P>. 
his education and began his life as a farmer. Ciilmore, and has one child — Frank C; Rachel 
Alive to new opportunities, which the oi)ening of Ann, the wife of Willis Ripple, and the mother 
the State canal system gave, he removed to of two — James W. and Anna 15.; William J.; 
Moravia, Pa., and with two boats Ix-gan carry- .\nianda K.; Joseph ()., our subject; Mary P)., 
ing freight on the canals. Tliis he followed for deceased; Cora \'.; l'>\ron C; Penjaniin W.; and 
two years, and then returned to farming, also Mary Belle. 

dealing heavily in horses and cattle. Branching [oseph (1 Dickson, the subject of this article, 

out in the latter line, he soon became known all though not a married man, is very much alive 

over Lawrence and Beaver Counties as one of to the interests of his native section. He ])os- 

tlie most extensive and most reliable dealers of sesses a home place that any man might well be 

the day. Having gained a wide knowledge of ])rond of. The farm is well stocked, and is 

men and affairs, his judgment in all matters adapted esi)eciallv to the raising of grain. It is 

was good, and his counsel was sought and de- in the heart of the best farming region of the 

pended upon by a large circle of friends. A man Kevstone State, and with good buildings, all 



136 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

kept ill perfect repair, it is the kind of an estate penter, who was l)orn March 4, 1787. He pur- 

that would gladden the heart of an\one who chased a farm, adjoining his father's homestead, 

loves the free, hearty and independent life of an and put up liuilding's, some of which are in use 

agriculturist. Mr. Dickson's church lines are to this day. This farm comprised about one 

laid with the Baptist denomination, and in poll- luuulred acres, but as fortune smiled on his 

tics he is one of the best known and most popu- efforts and prosperity came to be present with 

lar of the voung Repuljlicans of his section. In him. he purchased additional property, so that 

business affairs, he is clear-headed, slirewd and when the suitable times arrived, he was glad and 

upright. His methods are those that liave come able to give each of his children a good start in 

down to him from an hoiu)red ancestry, ami it life, h'or fifteen years Alexander Miller was a 

is safe to predict that his life's history will in no justice of the peace, and in this period settled 

wav suffer when compared with their bright many estates, and performed a great amount of 

record. semi-legal work. He was a man of exceedingly 

sound and correct judgment, and seldom did he 

err in his estimate of men and things; his coun- 

sel was much sought after, and it was at all times 

freely accorded. In p(jlitics. Mr. Aliller was first 

FREDERICK CARPEXTER MILLER, a Whig, and later a Republican. In his day he 

one of the substantial men of Mahoning town- held may offices, and there are few men. indeed, 

shi]), and who has proven verv successful at his who were as useful to the community as was he. 

vocation of farming, entered this world May 8, He died in his sixt_\-tifth year, but his widow 

1827. He first saw the light of day on the same lived to the extreme age of eighty-six. Their 

estate which he now owns, and where he makes children were; Elizabetli, born Aug. 2},, 181 1 ; 

his residence. Mr. Aliller was a son of Alexan- Thomas, Feb. 5, 1813; Alexander, May 19, 1816; 

der and Amelia (Carpenter) Miller, and a grand- Polly, July 31, 1819; John, Aug. i, 1822; Ame- 

son of James Miller, a \\'est X'irginian, who re- lia A.. March 2"/. 1825; I-rederick Carpenter. 

moved from his native .State and became one of Mav 8. 1827; and Jane. Aug. 15, 1830. The lat- 

the first settlers of Mahoning t(jwnship. He ter was burned to death in the old house when 

Ijuilt a log house on the jdace where John R. four years old. 

Miller, his descendant, now lives, and in time I-'retlerick Carpenter Miller tenderly cared for 
clearetl upwards of one hundred acres, dying at his aged parents all through their last days, and 
an advanced age possessed of a very handsome succeeded to the homestead. In. time he pur- 
property. His children and heirs were; Alexan- chased the Carpenter farm of two hundred acres, 
der; John; James, who retainetl the homestead; which adjoined, and in 1882 erected a new resi- 
Elizabeth; Margaret; Jane; and Annie. deuce. In 1887, new barns were added, and all 
Alexander Miller was born (.)ct. 30, 1790, and the while and at every season of the year, the 
was married. Dec. 22. iSio, to Aliss Amelia Car- large estate was kept in prime condition, clearly 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 137 

giving the best of evidence as to the thrifty ciiar- in that distant land. His widow, born Dec. 8, 

actcr and nicthodical, business-like habits of the 1803, lived until June 28, 1889. Thirteen chil- 

owner. Mr. Miller has followed the line of life dren were born to this couple: Richard C, born 

laid down by his honored and worthy father; he Aug. 21. 1823: William, Oct. 7, 1824: Maria E., 

is not only a keen, up-to-date farmer, but also a July 2"/, 1826: John E.. Xov. 27. 1827; Amanda 

clear-headed business man. He is held in the D., Oct. 8, 1829; Julia S. (Miller\ March 20, 

highest respect by all who know him, and their 1832; Edward S., May 14, 1833; Mary J., March 

name is legion. On Sept. 29, 1853, he led to the 25, 1835; Albert, July 14, 1838; James C, Feb. 

altar of Hymen Miss Julia S. Kincaid. daughter 30, 1839; Ferdinand, Aug. 25, 1841; Rose Ann, 

of John W. and Rachel S. (Craven) Kincaid, and Feb. 2},. 1843: and Adaline R.. Feb. 20, 1845. 

there they uttered the mutual vows of fidelity, To Mrs. Julia S. (Kincaid) Miller and her hus- 

honor and love that have bound them in perfect band there were given these five children: 

amity these many years. She was ever a goo<l Rachel Adaline, who died when an infant, seven- 

and loving wife, a faithful hel])meet, and a kind teen months old; Edna A., married H. D. Smith 

mother, to whom the welfare and happiness of of Lowellville, ( )hio, and bore her husband three 

her children was a paramount desire. children, l-'reda M., Grace J., and Henry M.; 

The father of Mrs. Miller. John \V. Kincaid, Julia, the wife of George Sweesy of I'hiladel- 

was born in the State of Delaware, and was a son phia, and the mother of one child, Frederick C. ; 

of Isaac Kincaid, a New Jerseyman, and a Marv E.. who wedded Henry SchifTert. and has 

grandson of William Kincaid. who was Scotch two children. Carl \"., and Elsie E. ; and Alex- 

by parentage and birth. Isaac Kincaid was a ander C, who married Sadie E. Kincaid. a cous- 

successful farmer, and the father of three chil- in, and has charge of his father's varied interests, 

dren — John W., William, and Rebecca. John residing in a home that he built for himself on 

W. was born Feb. 13, 1796, and early in life a part of the estate. Alexander C. Miller is the 

learned the carpenter's trade, and carried on father of four children — Lester (j., Alexander 

contracting and building in Philadelphia for a C, Jr., I'red W., and Elizabeth J. He is a very 

time. On May 21, 1822, in Salem, New Jersey, active person, and is devoting his best energies 

he was married to Rachel S. Craven, and kept to the work of caring for the extensive interests 

the Craven Hotel there until 1833, when he came in his care. He is already one of the leading 

to Hillsvillc, Mahoning township, and bought spirits of the section, and is ably carrying out 

the farm, now commonly known as the Henry the plans laid down by his father. 

Smith place. He continued farming until about Our subject can safely be termed a successful 

1854, when he started for California by the way man. Fie had the early advantage of a close 

of Central America to join his son, John E., association willi his father, who knew what liid- 

who had preceded him. He got as far as Xic- den springs to touch in order to bring a How of 

aragua, where he was detained; falling sick of prosperity. He has become a man of means, 

Panama or vellow fever, he died and was buried and still has retained to a remarkable degree the 



138 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, lAWRENCE COUNTY. 

affections of those in every walk of lite; the fact while li\-ing" in the villai^e of Petersville, and 

that he has done well and ntilized his talents has caring- for his large medical practice. His wife 

caused no one ] tains or jealousies. Air. Miller was born near Portersville. Butler County, and 

has found time in his long and eventful life to was a daughter of Andrew and Rachel (Adams') 

devote to matters outside of the sphere of his Aiken, the latter a daughter of John Adams, 

own business affairs. He is a stanch Republi- who married Margaret Hall. Andrew Aiken 

can, ])roud of his life-long connection with the was born in Westmoreland County in 1802, near 

Grand ( )ld Party, and has had much to sav and the I'orks of Yough, and came with his parents 

to do in the guidance of that party in his section. to Lawrence County in 1804; he was a farmer 

He has held many public of^ces, among them during his wdiole life, and passed away obedient 

that of supervisor, overseer of the poor, and to the invisible summons in 1867. He was a son 

school director. As to his religious views, he of Robert and jane ( McMains) Aiken, wdio were 

has always been liberal and fair-minded. The identified with farming throughout the extent of 

leaning of the family is toward the P)aptist their lives. 

Church, of which the beloved mother is a mem- C)ur subject passed the years of his youth from 

ber. ]\Ir. Miller has now aliout completed life's the age of three until he was seventeen years old 

battle, and stands among his family and friends in Perry townshi]), at which time his 

a victor in the struggle, surrounded 1)\- the fruits mother with the family moved to Xew Cas- 

of his foresight, his toil, and his skill. tie: his education was obtained in the 

common schools of Perr\- township, Lawrence 

— -^m^-^t^^. County, and in the Thiril Ward school of 

Xew Castle, where he was a jnipil fur three 
JOHN L. WELSH of iMahoningtown is a terms. .Since his tenth year he supported 
conductor on the Pennsylvania R. R., and was himself, working on farms and elsewhere, pick- 
born in Petersville. Butler Co., Pa.. Aug. 4, "i.^' "l' jobs here and there, and doing wliatever 
1858: he is a son of Dr. George W. and l\Iar- bis hand fountl to do. At the age of twenty-one, 
garet (Aiken) Welsh, grandson of William be began railroading as a lirakeman and con- 
Welsh, wild was a farmer bv occupation and tinned in that position for two years; then after 
lived to be seventy years old. He served in the a short service on the W. .\. Y. & P. R. R., he 
War of 1812. His father was a soldier of the again became a brakeman, and after working 
Revolution, and was wounded in the shoulder at for the Pennsylvania R. R. eighteen months in 
the I'.attle of the I'.randwine, for which he re- that capacity he was apjiointed a conductor in 
ceived a pension nian\- years afterward, when October, 1885, and in the past twelve years has 
jiensions were first allowed. ( )ur subject's father given ample evidence of his ability and general 
was born in Butler County, near the Conttque- trustworthiness. 

nessing Ri\er in the year 1818. and died in P>ut- Pie was married in Mahoningtown. June 27, 

ler Count} in 1861 in the prime of nnddle life, 1888, to Rebecca Pitzer, who was born in Ma- 




WILLIAM COSGROVE. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



Ul 



honiiigtown, a daughter of John Pitzer, a con- 
tractor and builder, who married Mary Rhodes. 
Three children now compose the household ot 
Mr. and -Mrs. Welsh: Margaret Ruth: Paul 
Andrew: and Ciula Louise. They are members in 
good and regidar standing of the Presbyterian 
Church. Politically. Mr. Welsh is identified with 
the Proiiibition parly, whose principles he be- 
lieves to be the best of any existing political 
organization. He is a kind and affectionate hus- 
band and father, an excellent neighbor, and a 
valued member of society. 



W1LL1.\M COSGRO\'E, a keen and pro- 
gressive farmer of Wampum, who has made a 
splendid record for successful work in agricul- 
tural lines, and is an honor alike to his township 
and his county as a- representative of the best 
class of citizens, was born in County Armagh, 
Ireland. June 4, 1845. He is a son of James and 
Elizabeth (McKinlcy) Cosgrove, and a grand- 
son of William Cosgrove, who was a weaver and 
draper in County Armagh in the north of Ire- 
land, and employed a large number of men at 
one time. He died at the age of sixty, and was 
laid awav according to the burial service of the 
Presbyterian Church, of which he was a life 
member. 

James Cosgrove. the father of the present 
scion of the family, farmed in Ireland until he 
came to America in 1S51. In the spring of that 
vear. he > took passage in a sailing vessel out of 
Belfast, and came very near not living to tell the 
dreadful experience that befell him and his fam- 



ily, for they were shipwrecked, and none of their 
goods saved, and their only possession on land- 
ing in tlie new country was the money in the 
belt that Mr. Cosgrove wore strapped around 
his waist. After their arrival in Xew York City, 
they moved to Little Falls. X. Y., where they 
lived but a short time. Friends had preceded 
him several years before to Washington Coun- 
tv, and they jirovided him a house, where he 
lived a year and a half while he was looking 
about for a suitable property in which to invest 
his money. He soon selected two hundred acres 
of land on high ground a few miles from Xew 
Galilee in I'.ig Beaver township, Lawrence 
County. By the following fall he had made 
ready a house, and taken possession of it with 
his family, most of whom are still living on the 
estate. Mr. and Mrs. James Cosgrove brought 
nine children into the world, namely: Margaret; 
William, the subject of this sketch: James, who 
lives in Little P.eaver township: Mary, who is 
the wife of Dr. William McCune; Elizabeth J., 
deceased; Samuel P., whose home is in Little 
Beaver township; Maria, who became Mrs. Al- 
bert Scott; David S; and Mattie A., who is the 
wife of Robert Dawson. James McKinley. our 
subject's maternal grandfather, was a farmer. 
who lived in Ireland, anil followed his chosen 
occupation until his death when upwards of 
eighty years of age. 

Ever since he was eight years old. our subject 
has lived in Lawrence County, and most of the 
time on the farm to which his father bnniglu the 
taniilv. He attended school until he was eigh- 
teen, working on the farm in the sunmier. 
\Mien he was twenty-five years of age, Mr. Cos- 
grove bought from his father fifty acres of land, 



142 LWOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

paying for it in cash $1,200, bcsitles the vahic of lioyce. Mr. Cosgrove exemplifies the virtues of 
his labor for the preceding four years. To this a refined. Christian gentleman, and reflects great 
original tract he has added by purchase twenty- credit on his parents for his excellent bringing- 
one acres on the north and forty-seven on the up. He and his beloved wife are members of the 
south, making a farm of almost 120 acres, which Ref(.irmed Presbyterian Church, to whose spir- 
he devotes to general farming, although his or- itual anil material support they give liberally, 
chards come in for a large share of his attentiiin. His political views coincide with straight Re- 
in 1876, Mr. Cosgrove built an elegant house, pulilican doctrines, and he has served as school 
28x32 feet, and has fitted it up in the luost com- director three years, and as supervisor one year, 
plete style, introducing hot and cold water The manner in which Mr. Cosgrove has executed 
throughout the house, and heating the rooms the responsibilities of the trusts that have de- 
with a furnace. ( )nly gas nr electric light is volved upon him proves the genuineness of his 
lacking, and tliat is liardK availalile as vet for a integrity and the justice of the reputation he has 
residence outside of a city. In 1890, he built a earned for energy and executive al)ility, as well 
large l)arn, 40xrx), and put up a steel windmill as probity and unswerving rectitude, Mr. Cos- 
to force water from a good spring t(.) a tank that grove's portrait may be fouml on a preceding 
is placed on the highest spot in the orchard. page. 
Water is then supplied from the tank for the 

house, both upstairs and downstairs, and for the ^^m 1 ■ 

barn. Air. Cosgrove has a fine countr\-seat, and 

it would lie a hard matter to find one more pleas- WILLIAM DA\'IS, one of the iM-ominent 
antly located, more completely furnished, or citizens of Hillsville, Mahoning township, and 
more conveniently arranged in Lawrence Co. actively engaged in carrying un farming opera- 
He well deserves such a home, for he is cordial tions, was born Nov. 18, 1823, in Northuniber- 
in his friendships, kind to his neighbors, ready land Co.. Pa. He was a son of Elijah and Mary 
to oblige in any matter within his ])ower. and (Panghart) Davis, and a grandson of David and 
thrifty and enterprising in his business. The Nancv (Thomas) Davis. 

house, being on an elevation, couunands a mag- The grandjiarents were among the early resi- 

nificent view of the Little I'.eaver River, and the dents of this section, moving in with their son, 

wooded slopes beyond. Elijah, when he came to the township about 

In J 880, Mr. Cosgrove wedded Ann Rhodes 1829. Elijah Davis purchased one huridred 

of Peaver County, daughter of Smiley Rhodes. acres in Mahoning township, a farm which is 

and she l)ecame the mother of one son, William now in the hands of Andrew Love. This place 

J., before her death. In August, 1889, our sub- he improved, making it a home for his beloved 

ject entered into his second union, his wife being parents, who both lived to an extreme old age. 

Nancy Poyce, who was born in Pittsburg, and Elijah followed farming all of his life, but was 

was a tlaughter of Hugh and Mary (Young) only permitted to round out a life of fifty-six 



BOOK OF BfOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 143 

years. His widow, however, lived on until she dren — Effie, who married Dr. C. M. Porter of 

was seventy-six years old, when she succumbed Hillsville, but is now deceased, and Mary .\., the 

to the inevitable fate of mortal man. They had wife of J. P. Harvey. Mr. Davis' seconil wife 

four children; Rebecca, deceased; William, the was Elizabeth Henley, daughter of Matthew and 

subject of tliis writing'; Hunter, now a farmer Elizabeth (Morgan) Henley, and grauddaughler 

of Mahoning township; and Robert, also a far- of Matthew and Elizabeth (IMtt) Henley. Mat- 
mer of the same locality. Elijah Davis was in . thew Henley, the elder, lived in the west of Eng- 

politics a stanch Democrat of the Jeffersonian land, where he followed his trade of a butcher, 

school; in religous matters, his family and him- His son followed liiin in this trade, continuing 

self were of the Disciples faith. until the year 1X41, when lie came to America. 

William Davis was given all of the education He settled at first in ( )hio, l)ut later on, liking 
available at that time, and until his seventeenth the land and peoi)le better in the Kevstone State, 
year worked on the farm for his father. At that he came into Lawrence County, and located in 
age he determined to strike out for himself. His the western part of Mahoning township. He 
natural bent seemed to be in the line of agricul- purchased the farm of 117 acres from William 
tural ])ursuits, and these he followed. Later on .Strain, which is now owned l)y John llenlex-. It 
he purchased a threshing outfit, and for many was but little im]iroved when he took posses- 
years in the proper season carried on this work. s\on. Init the soil was of the very best, and it was 
Accunnilating some means, he bought the Sam- comparatively level. The fine orchard, now on 
uel Boies farm, which had two log houses, one the ]>lace, grew from apple-seeds which he 
log barn and a single lone apple tree on it. As brought from England and planted himself, lie 
time went on and the rewards of hard work and died here on this farm four vears after he had 
good management were won, Mr. Davis erected located on it at the age of fifty-one; his wife 
an exceedingly handsome residence and ample reached the age of sixtv-five. Tlu'ir children 
barns. His one apple-tree increased to a fine, were; Alatthew, wh(i died in youtii; Thomas; 
large orchard, and many other kinds of fruit are John; James; Joseph; William, deceased; 
growing in abundance on the place. A grace- George; Elizabeth, our subject's wile; Annie, 
fnl and tasty arrangement of shrubbery and deceased; and Maria. Mr. Davis' union with 
hedges about the l)uildings gives the home acre Miss Henley has been productive of eleven chil- 
an exceedingly pleasing appearance. The whole dren, five of whom survive, namely; Annie V... 
estate of over one hundred acres is to-day one of who wedded .Samuel Hervev, and is the mother 
the best tended, and consequently one of the of three children, Walter W., Ella l".., and Kate; 
best-looking, farms in all Lawrence County. Olive i\L, a teacher, resides at home; William R. 

Mr. Davis coiUracted his first matrinmnial is a student; Carrv J. lives at home, as does also 

alliance with .Saraii Patterson, daughter of Will- Joseph 11.. the youngest of the family, 

iani Patterson. .She was removed from his side William Davis is ;i man and a citizen whom 

at the age of twent\-five, leaving him two chil- it is good to know. He is a well-informed gen- 



144 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

tlenian, and though far along- in hfe, he keeps in Xotwithstanding his Ouaker prejudices and 
touch with tiie times. Pohtically he has always beliefs, Joseph Iddings was a participant in the 
been a Democrat of the old school. Patriotic War of 1812. iMartin Reno was born in Sewick- 
and alive to the needs of the nation, his voice le_\' township, Peaver Countv. Julv 11, 1816, and 
has always been raised on tlie side of justice and died on Feb. 28. i8qi. He was a farmer by 
humanitv. He has held many offices and has occupation. Martin Reno was a son of Ben- 
filled them well. He is now enjoying the fruits jamin and Catherine (Swick) Reno. Benjamin 
of his hard work, that was performed when he was born in Beaver County al)out 1785 and 
was a younger man. His handsome home al- died about i860; he was a farmer, and was also 
ways affords a hospitable welcome to the friend versetl in the chemist's profession. In the War 
or guest who may go that way. ]\Ir. Davis is in of 1812, he was present at the Battle of Lake 
church affiliations a Disciple. In all the affairs Erie. Benjamin Reno was a son of William 
of life lie is a man whom his townsmen rely Reno, a farmer and bridge-builder, who lost his 
upon, and thoroughly respect. life at Beaver Dam by falling from a bridge he 

was constructing and breaking his neck. 

Our subject was reared in Shenango town- 
ship since his third vear. at which time his father 
moved to the township and bought a large tract 

GILBERT LAh'AYETTE REXO is a rep- near the township's center from John Reno, his 

resentative of one of the oldest families in Law- brother, one of the pioneers of the county, to 

rence Countv, and is engaged in farming in whom a patent for the land was issued April 6, 

Shenango township: he was born in Xorth 1787, before the adoption of the Constitution, 

Sewicklev township, Beaver County, l~eb. 6, and signed by Benjamin iM-anklin. This old 

1843. parchment is still e.xtant and is owned by a 

The Reno familv is said to be of French ori- brother of Air. Reno, wlio is living on the old 

gin, and the original orthography is said tci have farm, and is considered a valuable old relic of 

been Renault, which was pronounced the same early days. Air. Reno attended district school 

as it is now. It is on this groun<l that the claim until he was eighteen years of age, and su]i])le- 

of the family is based to large tracts of land in mented this elementary education with collegiate 

and about Peoria, 111., which were granted to work at the college at Edinburg until he w^as 

Renault, one of the early explorers and mission- twenty-one years of age. He commenced teach- 

aries of the \'alley of the Illinois River. ing school at the age of eighteen, and thereafter 

( )ur sul)ject is a son of Martin and Hannah taught several winter terms, his summers being 

(Iddings) Reno. The latter was l)orn near West occupied in farm work. When he attained his 

Chester, Pa., in the vear 1820, and was a daugh- majority, he bought his present farm, and two 

ter of Joseph and Hannah (Hoopes") Iddings, years later married and began a successful and 

Ijoth of Ouaker stock, of Eastern Pennsvlvania. thus far happy career. He owns seventy-eight 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRRNCE COUNTY. 



1-i: 



acres, which are for the most part utihzed in 
growing fruit anil vegetables, for which ready 
market is found at New Castle, some five or six 
miles away. During the late war at the time 
o\ the raids in Pennsylvania by the irregular 
rebel general, Morgan. .Mr. Reno served in the 
State militia some three months. 

Mr. Reno was married Xov. 2, 1865, in Shen- 
ango ti)wnship, to Mary W. Allen, who was born 
in that township, a daughter of John M. ami 
Esther (Miller) Allen, the latter a daughter of 
Moses Miller, a soldier of the War of 181J. 
Moses Miller was a miller by trade as well as by 
name ; his wife's name before her marriage to 
him was Jane Gaston. John M. Allen, a son of 
Jacob and Eleanor (Munson) Allen, the fonner 
a soldier of the War of 181 j, was a farmer of 
Shenango township, and died in llie above town- 
slii]) where he had sj)ent his life March 12, 1897. 
aged eighty-four years and six months. Eight 
children constitute the family of Mr. Reno and 
his wife, as follows: Charles B., who is farming 
in Shenango townshi]); Ellis C, who is farming 
in Slippery Rock townshi]); (i. Laurice; Eva 
Josephine, the wife of Daniel \V. Eerree of Slip- 
l)ery Rock townshi]); A. Curtis; Erancis II.: 
Cora L. ; \'erna Mary. Mrs. Reno and famil\ 
are members of the Piaptist Church. In politics, 
.Mr. Reno is a 1 'rohiljitionist, and has served as 
auditor for the township. He is a member of 
liie 1'. of Husbandry, and of Hazel Dell (jrange, 
^"- Z}<i- * '"r subject entertains decided opin- 
ions on all subjects of national or state-wide 
interest; these opinions are reached with delib- 
eration, and the conclusions arrived at after 
nuicli tiiought, consequenllv when once formed 
the\ are not liable to change, and he advocates 



them with the courage of one who believes he 
is right and dares to maintain his belief. He is 
considered an important factor of the business 
and industrial interests of the township, aiding 
niateriallv in develo])ing its resources, and re- 
ceives his reward in the esteem and confidence 
of its citizens. 



DR. CASSIL'S M. PORTER, a disciple of 
Esculapius, within the length of time during 
which he has followed his chosen profession 
among the people of Lawrence County, especial- 
ly of Mahoning tow-nship and its vicinity, has 
made for himself a place and won a standing 
that may well be envied. Belonging to a class of 
men whose duties com]ie] them to be not oidy 
healers, but also to be counsellors and advisers 
as well in matters of the most delicate nature, 
he has done well by his large clientele. That his 
name is respected and his individuality esteemed 
is but a well-earned reward for his faitliful 
efforts. 

Dr. Porter came into this life July 7, 1846, in 
Pulaski township, Lawrence Co., Pa. His grand- 
parents were born east of the Alleghen\- Moun- 
tains, but in the first days of the development 
of Western Pennsylvania, tjiey crossed those bar- 
riers anil were among tlie pioneers of this region. 
The parents of the Doctor were Nathaniel and 
Martha J. (McCready) Porter. Nathaniel 
Porter's fatJier bore the same given name. 
.Xatlianiel i'orter, .Sr., entered the new country 
from his eastern abode with a stcadv determina- 
tion to liew out nf the wilderness a home for 



U6 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

himself and liis descemlants. The long journey with honor in the spring of 1871. He came im- 
over the mountains was performed on horse- mediately to Hillsville. where he spent two 
hack, as wagon roads over those routes were years, practicing his profession. The three sub- 
then in tlie first stages of construction. He sequent years were spent in Sharpsburg, Mercer 
came into Lawrence County, and located on a Co.. Pa., but at the end of that period he re- 
400-acre strip of land, all of which was ])racti- turned to his native town, and located again in 
cally a virgin forest. The first duty of the new- Hillsville, where he has since resided, 
comer was to fell some trees and erect a habit- Dr. Porter is essentiallv a broad man. While 
able log-cabin. This done, he began to clear a thorough student and an up-to-date practi- 
the farm — a task that engaged his labors for ' tioner, he finds aiuple time to handle a large 
many succeeding years, with the result that he practice and to look after many other interests 
ultimately became the possessor of a fine tract in a satisfactorv manner. His profession has 
of arable land, which owns not an eciual in a _\ielded him good returns, and he is considered 
county which is noted for its grand agricultural one of the solid men of his section. His beau- 
resources. He I)ecame as time advanced one of tiful home, one of the l)est in the village of Hills- 
the prosperous and well-to-do men of the local- ville, he himself erected. C)ur subject was wed- 
it\', having much influence and a high p()sition ded at the outset of his professional career to 
as a citizen in tlie township. Aliss Effie Davis, a daughter of William Davis, 

To the son, Nathanel Porter, Jr., fell a por- a resident of Mahoning township. She was 

tion of the original farm. On this place, which taken from her sorrowing husband in 1895, hav- 

he had helped his father to clear of trees, he ing reached the age of fortv-five years. Two 

settled with his wife, who was a Miss Martha children were born to them, I'Ted W., who at 

J. McCready. He lived a long and industrious this writing is a student, and lives at home, and 

life here, spending all of his tiiue in tilling the Anna M., who died aged two years and six 

soil, and died in June, 1893, at the age of seven- months. 

t^-six years. His widow still stirvives him, resid- Dr. Porter is a gentleman who fully appre- 

ing with her son, the Doctor, who was the onlv ciates the duties of his profession, and at the 

one who survived out of a family of several chil- same time does not forget the claims which the 

dren born to Nathaniel Porter and his wife. pulilie has u|)on him as a citizen. He is a firm 

The subject of our sketch attended the district advocate of the best of educational facilities, and 

schools of the townshi]), where he laid the solid for nine years has been a member tif the board 

foundations of his education. Xext he took a of school directors. In politics, he is a Repub- 

full academic course at the Canfield, (Jhio, Acad- lican of the strongest convictions. Active in 

emy, and tlien began the study of medicine with thought and movement, possessed of keen fore- 

Dr. Davis of Poland, ( )hi(i, as his preceptor. He sight, and endowed with exceptional executive 

then entered the College of Phvsicians and Sur- al)ilities, the Doctor is. apart from his calling, 

ge(_)ns of Philadelphia, Pa., and was graduated a man of influence and force. As a physician, 




HARRY HOV/ARD 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. U9 

Dr. Porter is on all sides trusted as well as loved, the Battle of Kencsaw Mountain, and received 

Well-read in all that pertains to the well-being hospital treatment for quite a long period. He 

of the human body, keen and correct in his diag- was a son of Prosper K. and Cecelia (Corrigan) 

noses, cool and collected under the strain of a Howard. His wife. Sarah j. (Lane) Howard, 

severe surgical operation, it is no mistake to aver was born in Mt. Jackson, Lawrence Co., a 

that he is an instance of the right man in the daughter of William Lane. Edward L Howard, 

right place. The severest test to which one can our subject's father, is a Denuicrat in his poli- 

subject a man"s personality is to lay it open to tics. 

the criticism of those who have seen him grow Harry Howard passed his boyhood years in 

from childhood to manhood, and in manhood Lowellville, Ohio, where he resided until he 

expand his career each year. This test Dr. Por- attained his majority, attending the schools 

ter stands exceedingly well, for no more popu- whenever opportunity was given him until he 

lar, well esteemed, or respected gentleman than was twenty years old. During these years he 

he, has ever grown up among the sturdy sons worked through the summers in a brickyard, 

of Lawrence County. and also for a time on the railroad as a member 

of a section .gang. It will be noted from this that 
he began at the bottom of the ladder, and has 
made a steady climb toward the top, his honest 
endeavor to please, and to make his services 
H.VRRV HOWARD, freight conductor on valuable and well-nigh indispensable, meeting 
the Pennsylvania Co.'s lines, and residing in with a reception due them. At the age of 
Mahoningtown, was born Nov. lO, 1866, in twenty-one he became a brakeman on the Penn- 
Lowellville, Ohio. His father was born in .sylvania Co.'s lines, and in two years left otT 
Blairsville, Indiana Co., Pa., Oct. 7. 1825. and "braking" to assume the added cares and re- 
learned the shoemaker's trade, which he fol- sponsibilities of a conductor. Shortl\ after this 
lowed industriously until recent years, support- he worked some six weeks for the P. i*t W. 
ing his family in respectability, and providing R. R,. and an C(|ual period for tiie P. & L. E. 
them with many of the luxuries and comforts of R. R., and then returned to the Pennsylvania 
life. In 1S80 his railroad service lia<l a begin- Co., with wliich he has since remained, in .Mav. 
ning, accepting in that year a position on the 1895, he was again a])])ointed conduclcjr, in 
Pennsylvania R. R., and since that date has been which capacity he is now emploved. 
employed as flagman and in other like capacities Mr. Howard on Dec. 18. i88y, led to the 
in the company's yards at Lawrence Junction. Altar of Hymen Hannah .M. Anderson, and 
He was a soldier of the Civil \\'ar, serving three made her his wife: she is a daugiiter of John R. 
years in Co. E, 105th Reg. O. \'. 1., and was in and Salina F. (Warfel) Anderson. Salina F". was 
Sherman's Army when it made its renowned a daugjner of Ennnamiel Warfel. who married 
march to the sea: he was severel\- wounded at .Sarah .Siiade. both of tliem natives of Hunting- 



150 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUXTY. 



fJon County, the former a son of Henry Warfel, son, who married a Miss Clendenin. Mr. Pat- 
and the latter a daughter of Henry Shade ( )f terson is a Democrat in respect to his poHtics, 
six children born to her parents, Mrs. Howard and is a member of the United Presbyterian 
was the second. Their two sons were named Church of Mt. Jackson, Xortii Beaver township. 
Wilhani Elhs and Edwin L. Mrs. Howard is a He has served his township as supervisor and 
member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Howard is a as assessor. Of three children born to our sub- 
Republican in his politics, and socially is a mem- ject's parents two sur\-ive; the record reads as 
ber of Amazon Lodge Xo. 336, Knights of follows: \\'alter B. of Shenango township; 
Pythias of Mahoningtown; and Brotherhood of John D., our subject; and ^lary E., who was 
Railway Trainmen Xo. 471, Evening Star Lodge taken home at the age of fifteen, 
of Mahoningtown. (Jur subject's parents moved to Xorth Beaver 
\\ e present ^Ir. Howard's portrait on a pre- township, when he was an infant in arms, and so 



ceding page as one of the foremost representa- 
tives of employees on the railroad. 



he grew to inanhood in Xorth Beaver township, 
attending its excellent district schools imtil he 
was si.xteen years of age, at whicli period in his 
career he joined the army, enlisting in Co. A, 
First Battalion of Pennsylvania Cavalry. He 
ser\^ed si.x months in the cavalry arm of the 
J(JHX D. PATTERS( )X. a representative service, was then for two years a member of Co. 
and eminent citizen of the borough of Mahon- B, 204th Reg. Pa. \'ol. Inf. He followed farm- 
ingtown, where he is held in high regard and ing on rented land in Xorth ]>eaver township 
esteem by his neighbors and ac(|uaintances, was seventeen years, after his return from the war 
bom in Lowellville, Mahoning Co., Ohio, May and his resumption of peaceful pursuits. He 
22, 1847, ^n<J is ^ son of \\'illiam and Elizabeth then bought a farm, which he operated for six 
Ann (Buchanan) Patterson. The latter was born years, and then sold it and moved to Mahoning- 
in 1 821 near Lowellville, Ohio, and died May 2, town in the fall of 1889, and since that time has 
1854; her father was a farmer of Ohio for manv been a respected citizen of that borough. Since 
years, and lived and died near Lowellville. 1890, fcjr three years he traveled in the interest 
William Patterson was born in .Xorth Beaver of the National Stockman and Farmer of Pitts- 
township, Lawrence Co., I"eb. 25, 1815, and is burg. Conmiencing with the fall of 1895, he 
living at this writing on his homestead in that has been connected with the schools of Mahon- 
township at the venerable age of eighty-two ingtown, and has had charge of all the school 
years; it has been his home since 1852. When a property. He has also served three years as 
young man he taught school for a while, and assessor of the borough. He is now in the prime 
was as successful in tliat vocation as he was in of life, enjoying the comforts of a beautiful 
farming, in which he was engaged since the date home, and surrounded by a large and hapjjy 
of his marriage. He was a son of John Patter- family. His strict attention to business has 



^t">c">A' '^^ ^rOGRAPHIES, LAU'REXCE COl'XTY. 



151 



secured him a lair share oi I'.iis world's goods, 
while his uprightness in all his dealings, com- 
bined with his genial deportment, has won him 
the respect and affection of all who know him. 
Socially, he is a member of Shenango Lodge. 
Xo. 195. I. O. O. F.: and Marietta Lodge. No. 
^^/. Knights of Pythias, of Mt. Jackson. In his 
political \-iews he is strongly Democratic. 

His marriage to Nancy C. Brothers, who was 
bom in North Beaver township, a daughter of 
David and Martha (^Coppert Brothers, took 
place in New Brighton. Pa., March 21, 1S66. 
This marriage has been fruitful of nine children, 
as follows: Da\nd I., wo married Miss Mar- 
garet W'ettich; William \V.. who married Eliza- 
beth Clark; Charles \V., deceased: Mar}- M.: 
John B.: Dale B.: Ella J.: Clara E.: and Silas E. 
Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are members of the 
Presbvterian Church. 



CRESS PITZER. the leading merchant of 
the village of East Moravia, Taylor township, 
was boni in Shenango township, two miles east 
of New Castle, Feb. 24. 1839, and was a son of 
Michael and Elizabeth (Cameron) Pitzer, and 
grandson of Michael Pitzer. Sr., who'was bom 
in the Fatherland, and followed the vocation of 
a farmer all his life, dying at the age of eighty- 
two in 1835 or 1840. Our subject's father was 
bom in the State of \'irginia in 1S02. and fell 
into that last deep sleep that knows no waking 
in 1881. at his home in Dickinson Co., Tenn. 
He was what might be termed a born mechanic, 
for to whatever trade he turned his attention he 



mastered it easily, adapting himself to new and 
peculiar tools with wonderful rapidity: he was 
first a cooper by trade, but was eiqually well a 
shoe-maker, and could perform as gocnl work at 
carpentn." as the best of them. He became quite 
well-to-do in Pennsyh-ania, and in 1808 movevl 
with most of his children and their families to 
Dickinson Co., Tenn.. where he purchased 530 
acres of land, intending to have all his children 
live around him. His wife, who dieil at the age 
of seventy-three, was a native of Pittsburg, and 
a daughter of Allan and Elizabeth Cameron. 
.\llan Cameron, who was bom in the bonny land 
of Scotland, served on the .\merican side in the 
conflict for American Independence. 

Cress was rearetl in Shenango township, anil 
went to Avistin School-house until he was ten 
years of age, and thus acquire^l his' eviucation. 
He was apprenticed at an early age to the trade 
of a shoe-maker, but he did not long continue 
to follow the cobbler's art, for the work dis- 
agreed with his health. He then sought more 
rugged and out-door employments, ami decide^l 
on boating on the canal: he bought a canal Inxit. 
the McFarland, which plied between Pittsburg 
and Erie. Pa., and Meadville, Ohio, and was 
engaged in carrying freight until the canal was 
closed to navigation. In 1807- be movevl with 
his father and other members of the family to 
Dickinson Co., Tenn., and farme<.l for thineen 
years near Charlotte, also operating a thresh- 
ing-machine. In 1880. he returned to Law- 
rence County, and in the spring of 1881 built a 
store-room in East Moravia on the east side, 
where he carries as well-selected a stock of gen- 
eral merchandise as is to be found in any village 
in the county. His spare time is taken up with 



153 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

job work in repairing shoes. He is building up he began looking about for a suitable location 
a large trade as well as lucrative, for he has good for a home, and made a trial of Staunton, \'a.. 
business qualifications, and his integrity goes and Lancaster Co., Pa. ; finally in company with 
ini(|uestioned among his fellow-townsmen. his wife he tonk up his residence near Cavatt's 
Mr. I'itzer was married in .'Chenango town- Mills, Allegheny Co., Pa., where he lived from 
ship, March I, i860, to Elizabeth Shatter, ijgd until 1800. In that year Mr. Mcljinnis 
daughter of Joseph and llva (Pitzer) ShafTer, bought a 200-acre tract of land in Shenango 
and she has bitrne him the follnwing family of township, Craw^ford County, and devoted the 
nine children: Joseph, a farmer of Washington greater portion of his remaining years to clear- 
t<)wnslii|j, who married Minnie West, and has ing the ground of the forest that cumbered it, 
four children — Ityron, Luther K., Melvin. and and getting the fields in cultivation. He died on 
Cress; Albert, a car inspector, living near his this farm in Crawford County in 1817. Mr. Mc- 
fathcr in Taylor township, who married Mary (iinnis was a devoted parent, a Christian gentle- 
Jones, and has a family of three — David, Esther,- man, and an active and zealous member of 
and Ralph: David; Ennna; I-'rank, a conductor the Seceder's denomination. l-'ive children 
and brakenian on the P. & L. E. R. R.; J<.ihn, were born to this pioneer couple, and were 
who is employed at the tube works in ICllwood named: James; John; Martha; Elizabeth; and 
City; Sanuiel; Ida; and Doris. Mr. and Mrs. William. 

Pitzer are members and regular attendants of James McGinnis, the eldest son of the pre- 

the M. E. Church. In politics, :\Ir. Pitzer is a eeding, and grandfather of our subject, was 

firm Republican, and does all he can in a legit- l^orn in Ireland in 1781, and was brought when 

imate way to advance the interests of that party, a babe in arms by his parents to this country. 

He received the best school training available in 
those days, and when still a youth entered Ca- 
vatt's Mills, where he soon became an expert 
workman. His duties in the mill kept him for 
JOHN M, McCIXXIS, who is a representa- the most part in the foundry department, where 
tive and leading farmer nf Xorth Peaver town- he worked on castings, mainly those of mold- 
ship, was born in Washington Co., Pa., Jan. 2^. boards and jdows. He married Marv Scott, the 
1847. 11'^ grandfather, James Mc( iinnis, was daughter of Sanniel Scott, and leaving his me- 
the son of William McCjinnis, who was born chanical jjursuits settled on a farm in Robinson 
about the middle of the eighteenth century in township, where he died July 8, 1817. at the 
County Down, Ireland. In 1780 \\''illiam Mc- early age of thirty-si.x years. His widow after- 
Cinnis wedded Martha Wilson, an estimable wards married Joseph Logan, and lived with 
lady of Sciitch ancestry, and two years later they that gentleman until her death. March 30, 1849. 
came to America and settled in Carlisle, Cum- James McGinnis left five children: Sanniel W. ; 
berland Co., Pa. After a short sojourn there, William: lohn: lames; and Elizabeth. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAURENCE COUNTY. 153 

William McGinnis, father of John M.. the sub- and a settled character went, and settled down 
ject of this article, was born in Allegheny Co., on a claim near Abilene. There he became in- 
I'a., March 28, 181 1. When still a lad lie served terested in farming |)roperty. bought and sold 
an apprenticeship at the trade of wagon-making land, and followed with a large measure of suc- 
with George Hoffman. 1-eeling that that line of cess agricultural i)ursuits. In 1875, he returned 
work was not suited to him. and having bv his to his old home to care for his interests there, 
own efforts secured a good education, he began for he had fallen heir to the valuable James Tan- 
teaching school — a calling in which he was very nihill estate of 172 acres, which he still owns and 
successful. lie wedded Matilda E. Hoffman, operates at this writing. Since taking hold of 
May 16, 1835, and located at Sharon, Pa., where this extensive property he has made many im- 
lie emljarked in mercantile jjursuits. Later on provements. In 1893, he Iniilt a very handsome 
he removed to Steven.son's Mills, AUeghenx' modern residence, and laid om broad lawns 
Countx, where he continued in business. In about it. The large and commodious barn, 
1843, Mr. McGinnis went to Hickory, Washing- 42x80 feet in dimensians, was built about 1885. 
ton County, and resided there several years, con- One of the most complete dairies in his neigh- 
ducting a large store, and dealing heavily in borhood is maintained, and two of the finest 
wool and ntlier conunodities. In 1848, he closed springs in the townshi]) are situated on his farm, 
out his business interests, and came to North giving him an abundance of clear, cold water for 
I'.eaver township, buving the farm, where his use in the house, in the dairy, and for watering 
son, William S. Mc(iinnis, now resides. Here the stock. Every element which goes to make 
he lived the life of a retired farmer until his dc- the modern country |)lacc is here provided. Or- 
ccase, which occurred Aug. 14, i88(> His first chards, grain fields, and broad meadows, all well 
wife, Matilda, died in 1844, wiien but thirty .mil carefully tended, stretch away from the 
years of age, leaving three children: James, home i)l<)t. 

Mary and George. His second wife, with whom [ohu M. McGinnis was married, Xov. 4, 1891, 

he was joined in matrimonial bonds March 12, to .Miss Addie Hojiper, dauglitt-r of John and 

1846, was Mary Tannihill, daughter of James Annie (Hamilton) Hopper. John Hopper was 

Tannihill. She was born l"eb. 1, 1825, and died horn in Westmoreland Co., Pa., March 24. 1797, 

I'eb. 4, 1886, leaving six children; John M.; and was a son of Robert and .Margaret (Watson) 

Wilson: Sarah: William: Duira; and .\da. Hop])er, wlu) were l)oth of Irish birth. This 

John M. .Mc(iinnis was the eldest son by the last named couple settled in Westmoreland 
last marriage. He attended public and select County on their arrival in this country, but 
schools, gaining a good, substantial education, afterward with their family muved to Hickory 
and in 1869, wdien twenty-two years of age, he Creek, near Mt. Jackson, North IJeaver town- 
followed out the instincts of his jjioneer blood, shi[). Ri.bert Hopper took up a claim 
and went to Dickinson Co., Kansas, then a new in North Heaver townshi]) and began 
section of the countrv so far as improvements clearing two lumdred acres of virgin fur- 



154 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



est land. He built as his resilience a douljle Since youth he has been a consistent nieiuber of 

jog'-house, with a chinine)' in the middle, which the I'nitecl Presbyterian Church. He has held 

structure stood for years as a landmark, lly the office of supervisor as well as others of les- 

trade he was an Irish weaver and to his old age ser importance. He is a man of broad informa- 



retained his skill and knowledge nf the art. He 
reared a large family of children, who were 
named: Sanuiel: Esther; Martha: lane: Mar- 



tion and well-rounded character, for he has 
traveled widely, and carried on business in many 
distant i)arts of the L'nited States. Descended 



garet: Robert: William: John : ancl James. Pioth fmm a line of rugged and upright ancestry of 



he and his good wife lived t(.i an aih-anced age. 
John llcipper, the son of Robert, and father-in- 



which any man might well feel proud, he is pre- 
eminently a citizen (if the class which gives sta- 



law of Air. Mcdinnis, inherited a portion of the bility and strength to the comnumitv, the State 
home estate, and followed farming all of liis life, and the Nation, 
clearing a goodh' jiortion of his property him- 
self. Through stead}- industry and thrifty meth- 
ods, he became a very successful and well- 
known citizen. After a time, he sold his large 
place, which is now known as the L. L. I'iobin- 
son farm, and bought the smaller tract, known 
at the time as the Joseph Henry Place. In this 
home of his last vears his wife and family still 
reside. He departed this life ( )ct. 15, 1878. His 
wife was a daughter of James and k'lizabeth 
(Monroe) Hamilton. James Hamilton was born 
in Westmoreland diuntx', and settled \'ears ago 



FRANK WEITZ is a flourishing business 
man of Ellwood City, and conducts a well-pat- 
ronized market for the sale of high grade meats 
(.)f all kinds. He was born in the borough of 
Mahoningtown. Lawrence County, Jan. 25, 
1865, and was a son of Andrew and Margaret 
( Piolingcr) Weitz. 

Andrew Weitz was liorn in Dornassenheim, 



on the farm in Xorlh lieaver township, where p,- 



ovmce o 



f Nassau, Germany, April 17, 1834, 



Robert Gibson now lives. Mr. Hamilton lived 
to the age of seventy-two, and his wife attained 
fifty-six years. Their children were: Thomas; 
Annie, who became the mother-in-law of the 
subject of this account; David; John; Shepard; 
and Jane. The children of John Plopper and 



He came to America about 1850, sailing from 
the port of Premen to New York City, and set- 
tled in Mahoningtown, whither his brother 
George had preceded him. They kept a meat 
shop in Mahoningtown for seven years, when 
Andrew sold his share in the Inisiness, and 



his wife were: Elizabeth; Margaret; Maria; moved to New Castle, where he opened a 

Addie, subject's wife; Mary; and Amanda. saloon; but after a year he quit that business, and 

John M. Mc(;innis is not only a representative went into the meat Inisiness again in Alahoning- 

man in the community, but he wields a great town, where he remained until 1865, when he 

amount of influence among his many friends. removed to Clinton, P.eaver Co., Pa., where his 

In political views, he is an earnest Republican. death took place Jan. i, 1883. Peter Weitz, the 





'^pi^K 



■^ 

•^r 




JAMES A. RAKEY. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. I. A WRENCE COUNTY. 157 

grandfather of tlie present business man, cnvnecl seek for choice morsels to satisfy their palates, 
a large farm in the Fatlierland, and his three He keps a fine variety of meats, both fresh and 
sons came to America — George, William and salted, tish and everything that pertains to his 
Andrew. Andrew Weitz was married April 28, business. Mr. Weitz is a Democrat and his fani- 
1857, to Margaret Bolinger, also of i)ure (iernian ily lielong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
parentage, and a daughter of Michael and liar- Mr. Weitz married Lizzie Stewart, daughter of 
bara (Staff) Bolinger. Mrs. Weitz is still living William Stewart of Petersburg, Ohio, and they 
in Wampum, this county, in comfortable cir- have a daughter, Ruth, who was born April 17. 
cumstances, for her husband was a successful 1893. ^'r. Weitz and his good wife have the 
and prosperous citizen, and laid by considerable respect and good will of all who know them. He 
property. Their children were: Lizzie, who is a member of the Junior (). L'. A. W. of Ell- 
married Frank \'ogt of Massillon, ()hio: John wood City, Pa. 
G. of Wam]ium; Lewis 11., also of Wani])uin. 
Frank, the subject of this article; Charley, de- 
ceased: Emma, who married Dr. L. Wilson of 
W'ampum; and Andrew, an esteemed citizen of 

Wampum. JAMES A. R.W'EY, who is engaged in mill- 

IVauk Wetiz succeeded his father in the meat ing with his cousin Leander Raney in Mahon- 

business, as he had served an a])prenticeship ingtown, was born in Edinburg, Lawrence Co., 

from the age of fourteen, and established him- Pa.. Aug. 26, 1843, >ti<1 's a son of John I), and 

self at W'ampum, from which point he sent a Jane (Parks) Raney: the latter was born in 

wagon through the country and built u]) a good Edinburg. and was a daughter of James Parks, 

trade at Hazel Dell and the surrounding towns a patriot soldier of the Revolution, who was 

and villages. When Ellwood City was incor- born in the State of \irginia, and died at the age 

porated and laid out as a city, Mr. Weitz saw a of ninety years in Edinburg. Jolin I). Raney 

good opening for a wide-awake man, and in was born in Coitsville, Ohio, in 1812, and died 

1891 with characteristic energ\- he built a house in 'S'oungstown, in 1884: he was a miller by 

and store, which was unfortunately destroyed by trade and followed that pursuit in Youngstown 

fire in the following year. L'ndaunted by the and also in Edinburg. In Youngstown he 

loss. Mr. \Veitz relniilt on the site, and the ])res- retired from active life, and served as mayor and 

ent structure is a twojstory affair, containing the as justice of the peace. Wiiile a resident of 

market on the ground floor, and living rooms Edinburg, he represented his district in tlie 

above. Mr. Weitz has a good trade, and faith- Pennsylvania Legislature, being a man of more 

fully and zealously does his part in aiding the than ordinary talents, and great executive 

growth of the city, and in developing its varied ability. 

interests. His market is always the acme of neat- ( )ur sid)ject passed the first eighteen years of 

ness and inviting to the most fastidious, wlio liis Hie in I'.ilinburg. attending its district 



158 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

schools, and continued his schoohng for a year having joined the order at Yoiingstown, Ohio, 

after his parents moved to Youngstown in 1861. In the late war, he was in the service of the 

He began working in the mill with his father at L'nited States from Alay to September, 1864, as 

the age of seventeen, and two years later started a member of Co. I, 135th (jhio \'ol. Inf. Mr. 

out to supj.iort himself, and become independent Raney's portrait appears on a preceding page, 

of anyone "for his living. He worked in the mill and we are pleased to include his name in the 

at Youngstown three years, and then for sixteen list of the representative and leading citizens of 

vears was associated in the milling industry with Lawrence County, 
his brother. In 1876 he came to Mahoning- 
town, and after one year's labor in his uncle's 
mill, he leased it for four years. In 1885, Mr. 
Raney and his cousin Leander Raney, bought 

the mill and refitted it with new machinery NATHANIEL NYE. In every community 
throughout of the most approved type at a cost there are men who have finished their part in 
of upwards of $8,000, and they are now pro- the arduous labors of daily life; they are usually 
ducing as fine a (|uality of flour as is made any- jnen who have struggled against adverse cir- 
where, shipping to all the territory tributary to cumstances and who have overcome the obsta- 
New Castle. The mill is one of the first and cles to success, reaching the calm only after 
most important industries of jMahoningtown, severe and exhausting effort. They command 
and would space permit we should be glad to the veneration and respect of younger genera- 
give a more detailed account of the excellent tions. Such a man and such a character is Na- 
appointments n and about the mill, and of the thaniel Nye of Hazel iJell. He was born on the 
progress and gr(.iwth of the l.nisiness. old Nye homestead where Ellwood City is now 
Mr. Raney was joined in marriage in Decem- located. April 29, 1835. ^^'s parents were 
lier, 1871, in Youngstown, Uhio, to Lois Mc- Thomas and Pernina (Pettit) Nye. 
CuUuiu, daughter of Ira and Hannah AlcCuUum, At that early day there was little opportunity 
and this union has been blessed with five chil- for educational advantages, so at the age of sev- 
dren: Myron, who married Rachel Kincaid, is enteen Mr. Nye began to learn blacksmithing. 
an engineer and lives in Mahi iningtown : Jessie; Besides working at his trade, he carried on farm- 
Daisy; I'aul; and Ralph. Our suliject's wife is ing at the homestead, a part of which fell to 
a devoted and worthy member of the Presby- him h\ inheritance. Securing two acres of land 
terian Church. Mr. Raney is a Republican in from Andrew C. Cole in Hazel Dell, Mr. Nye 
his political affiliations. He is a member of the built a house, and made his home there for a 
borough council, and was the first Inirgess after time; he then sold that property and bought 
the adoption of the borough organization, and the ]. H. Alarshall residence, wdiich he enlarged 
served three years in that ca])acity. He is a non- and altered considerably to suit his purposes. In 
affiliated member of the Knights of Pythias, ]8yi, Mr. Nye built a barn and voting hall. He 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 159 

also invested in the Nye store, and rented it to courtesy and kindliness of manner. In the years 
tenants until 1897, when he bought the entire of their wedded life children came to the house- 
stock of goods, and it has since been conducted hold, and were welcomed and carefully and con- 
luider his supcrvisidu and nianagcment. In scientiously trained. The history of the oldest 
company with his son. Frank H. Xye, our sub- son, George !>., appears detached in a separate 
ject bought the Daniel Cole farm as a specula- narrative in this book, and we will not take the 
tion, laid it out into lots, one hundred in all, each time here to refer to his prosperous career; suf- 
150 feet in depth with fifty feet frontage; this ficc it to say that he is an honor to his parents, 
venture was very successful and brouj^ht in good and one of the best citizens of Ellwood City, 
returns to the heads of it. While .Mr. Xye has Frank II. is a merchant of large business ability 
retired from active participation in business af- and e.xcellent standing in the trade. Charlie M. 
fairs, he is still interested in real estate and is engaged in conunercial pursuits. He married 
makes an occasional sale that is well worth his Abbie Ilannon, and they have a son, John H., 
time. and a daughter. Bertha M. Harry E., while 

Mr. Nye is a meml)er in good standing of the acting as fireman on the railroad, met his death 
lodge at Ellwood City, I'. & A. M. He first be- in an accident at the age of twenty-one. Fred- 
came a Mason in New Brighton, Pa., and from die H. lived five years, and then was called home 
there was transferred successivelv to Rochester by his Heavenly Father. William W. passed 
and Ellwood City, becoming popular and well away at eighteen months, Ralph I--, was taken a 
liked in every lodge, as he is of a genial disposi- short time after he had passed his second birth- 
tion. As a person of enterprise and energy, Mr. day, and Myrtle C.'s life terminated before the 
Nye is certainly one of the men best fitted to end of her third year. 

carry out the aggressive principles of his jjartv The family is highly thought of in all |)arts of 

in the political arena, where he is arrayed on the the township, and everywhere throughout the 

side of Democracy. He is very much interested county, where they arc known, their worth and 

in educational matters, and has advanced theo- many e.xcellent qualities are appreciated. The 

ries along those lines. young people are fully capal)lc of maintaining 

Mr. Nye in uniting himself with a life-com- the high standard set for them, and give promise 

panion made a most fitting choice of his wife, a of doing so. 

lady of excellent family, whose history is fully Our subject's grandparents, Andrew Rose 

outlined in the biography of John Marshall, con- and Rachel (McDonald) Nye, came to this sec- 

tained elsewhere in this Book of Biographies, tion of the State froiu Philadelphia, and after 

Mrs. Rebecca Jane (Marshall) Xye, daughter of living for some little time at Peter's Creek re- 

the Mr. Marshall nieiuioned above, has been all moved to Lawrence County, where they received 

that a good and faithful wife ever is to a dcvot- a patent for four hundred acres of new land. 

ed husband, and outside of the faniil\- circle she They built thereon in 1793 a log-house near the 

has won many dear friends l)y her unfailing site of tlie Presbyterian Church, and lived many 



160 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



years to prosper and to delight in their splendid Nye held various township offices, that were 
family of children. Andrew Nye was born Jan. tendered to him by his townspeople. He owned 
6, 1750, and died March I, 1821, and his wife 130 acres of land, but little dreamed that his 
entered this life Nov. 10, 1760, and departed it meadows one dav would furnish building sites 
Dec. 16, 1847. Their children were: Richard, for many comfortable and happy homes. Our 
born Nov. i, 1776: -Eleanor, Dec. 25, 1777; subject's grandfather, Andrew, lived in a log- 
Catherine, March 5, 1780; Nancy, Nov. 9, 1781; house, where the resideuce of brick and frame 
John, Oct. 2, 1783; Michael, (Jet. 2, 1785; Han- now stands, and when he made his settlement 
nail, July 21, 1787; Jordan M., March 10. 1789; there were only two families in the vicinity for 
Mary, Feb. 12, 1791; Margaret, July 13, 1792; miles and miles, and they were the Renyons and 
Susan, Feb. i-j, 1795: Andrew R., Dec. 22. 1797; 
Dan, j\Iarch 19, 1800; and Thomas, the father 
of our sul^ject, Aug. 30, 1802. 

Thomas Nve, the voungcst of a familv of four- 



Hazens. Mrs. Nye was often left in the log-house 
with the children when her husband went to 
work, and quite frequently was she forced to fire 
a rifle of¥, to frighten of¥ the wolves, who were 
teen, farmed with his father, and labored at agri- prowling about, and prevent them from molest- 



ing the place. 



cultural jnirsuits all his life. On April 10, 1828, 
Mr. Nye was united in the bonds of matrimony 
with Pernina Pettit, who was born Nov. 15. 
1804. The Nyes lived in the true pioneer days, 
when there was plenty of game for the obtaining 

of it, and the settlers' cabins were few and far HON. HENRY EDWARDS, one of the 
between. They worked hard at clearing their truly representative citizens of Lawrence Coun- 
land, and succeeded aclmiral^ly in wresting a sus- ty, now living in honored retirement on his farm 
tenance and a comfortable livelihood from the in North Beaver township, was born in Wash- 
soil. Their children were: Dan, born h'eb. 10, ington, I). C, Sept. 21, 1814. He is a son of 
1829, whose sketch is found elsewhere in this Joseph and Deborah (Sutherland) Edwards, and 
book; Al\-ah and Avery, twins. Jan. 25, 1830; a grandson of Robert and Mary (Burrough) 
Aaron, Jan. 26, 1835: and Nathaniel, (_iur sub- Edwards. 

ject. Mrs. Nye laid down her duties and closed The grandfather was born in England, but a 

her eyes on life on Jul\- 10, 1836. After the lapse captaincy he held in the army, which came from 

of several years, our subject's father contracted the mother country to assist the colonists in the 

a secon<l matrimonial alliance with Mrs. Eliza French and Indian War, brought him to this 

McElwain, whose maiden name was Miller. By side of the ocean. At the end of his service, 

this union five more children were added to the being thoroughly well pleased with the new 

family: Jordan M., born Nov. 7, 1847; Pernina, land, he decided to remain, and accordingly 

Nov. 27, 1849; Hannah, Nov. 22,. 1852; Nancy, bought a large tract of land in St. Mary's Co., 

Aug. II, 1854; and Celia, Aug. 16, 1857. Vlx. Maryland. Besides being a brave soldier, Rob- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. IGl 

ert Edwards was a skilled ship carpenter, and Six children were born to them: Rebecca; Polly, 
through being a large land-owner in later years who died in childhood; Ann; Henry; Jane; and 
he came to possess large numbers of slaves, like Hinily. All these children were reared according 
his neighbors around hini. lie did not scorn to to the teachings of the Episcopal Church, to 
l)ul his hand, w hen occasion demanded it, to the which the father and mother belonged, 
trade of his younger years, and many a stanch Henry b'.dwards, the subject of this notice, 
craft owed its being to him. He died at a good early manifested his natural bent of mind, lie 
()1<1 age, rich in worldly goods, and respected was an apt pupil and a lover of knowledge, 
and love<l by all. His wife, whom he had mar- From the schools of his day he acquired a good 
ried in early life, survived him some few years, education, to which he has ever since added. 
Five sons and two daughters were born to Rob- uiitil he can be safely termed one of the best 
ert and Mary Edwards. Among them were; read and best informed men of his county. In 
John, who was at one time sheriff of .'^t. Mary's 1852, when already a prosperous man, he came 
Co.; Jesse, a planter and extensive slave-owner to North Heaver township, buying the mill site, 
of the same county; Hezekiah, who moved west together with several acres of land from John 
to Kentucky; and Joseph, the father of the sub- Clark. Soon after he erected a new flouring 
ject of this sketch. mill at an expense of over $5,000, and equipped 
Joseph Edwards worked with his father on it with the best and most modern machinery 
the farm, and learned not only the details of sue- that could then be olitained. A prosperous busi- 
cessful farming, but also his parent's valuable ness rewarded this venture, but after five years 
trade. When King George's yoke became too of success, misfortune in the shape of water 
heavy to bear, the young man was ready and came and destroyed the mill. About this time, 
willing to lend a hand in freeing the country the new railroad came this way, and .\lr. Ed- 
froni oppression. He served through the Revo- wards, ever alive to business opportunities, bc- 
lutionary \\'ar, and soon after its close received came a large contractor, and built many miles 
an appointment from Thomas Jefferson as mid- of the line with considerable pecuniary profit to 
shipnian in the navy, a position he held with himself. When the oil business began to de- 
headquarters in Washington, D. C, until 1818. velop, Mr. lulwards again saw his chance, and 
After leaving the service of the government, Mr. devoted much time to fortunate prcjspecting and 
Edwards located in Beaver Co., Pa., buying the djiening of new oil fields; at one time lie even 
farm now owned by F. Edwards. He resided had an oil well on his own farm. P.esides these 
there and with the family of the subject of this interests, Mr. Edwards had been .steadily buying 
sketch up to the time of his death at the ad- land, and was profitably tilling many broad 
vanced age of eighty-seven years. The widow, acres of fertile soil. He had built a new house 
whose maiden name was Deborah Sutlierland. and barns in 1856, and as time went i)y had set 
but who had been previously married to John out large (|uantities of the best varieties of fruit. 
Ledger, survived him but a few short months. For years since then he has been one of the lar- 



102 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

gest fruit-growers in the township. At one time John C. Fremont, he is proud of the record ot 

our subject was a heavy dealer in wool, liandling the Keystone State — a record that men of his 

large quantities of it with good returns to him- stamp are certainly responsible for. Bright, hale 

self. and happy, with a constitutii.m strong and unim- 

In 1887 and 1888, Air. Edwards, who had long paired, he stands surrounded with the fruits of 

been a leading factor in political affairs of the his life work, a true example of the best Amer- 

county, was prevailed tipon to accept the Re- ican manhood. 

publican nominati<.)n to the State Legislature. 

He was didv elected, and served his constituents 

— ' ^ ' — — 

in a manner that won their heart}- plaudits, and 

added to the honor and esteem in which he had 

always been held. CHESTER L. WHITE, head bookkeeper in 

Henry Edwards married Margaret Clark, a (he office of the Shenango Valley Steel & Iron 

daughter of David Clark; slie died at the age of (;,j ^f New Castle, was born in November, 1838, 

forty-eight, leaving him i^ve children: Mary, ;„ Windham. O. Our subject is a son of Dr. 

who married John Hoffman of Philadelphia, Xe^cll and Airs. C. N. (Porter) White, Ijoth of 

Pa.: Joseph, who married Essie Erkles, and is ^^-i,,,,,, ^^.^rc natives of Massachusetts, the for- 

a prominent railroad contractor; Jane, who is „ier of Plainfield. and the latter of Worthington. 

the wife of Thomas Graham of New Castle, Pa.; d^. Newell White has for nearly half a cen- 

Jessie, the wife of L. Cross of North Beaver tury been practicing medicine in the city of New 

township: and Harry, who is his father's helper Castle, but is now retired from active work, and 

and co-worker. is almost the only one left of a long list of physi- 

As has been stated before, Air. Edwards is a cians, who practiced in New Castle and its vicin- 
man of high attainments and varied accomplish- ity in the forties and fifties. His parents were 
ments. Being a ready speaker, and the posses- direct descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers, who 
sor of a mine of information, he has never been laid the foundations of the New England States, 
worsted in a political debate or argument. He He was born in Plainfield, Alass., Nov. 30, 1807, 
is extremely active, of a cheery, genial disjjosi- and after becoming proficient in the studies 
tion, and has warm friends by the hundreds, taught in the district schools at that time, taught 
wherever he is known. No social gathering is school for a number of years, in which line of 
so complete as it is when he is present. For work he met with gratifying success. How- 
keen judgment either in politics or in business ever, preferring the profession of medicine to 
he is unexcelled. As an adviser, lie is much that of any other vocation, he directed his studies 
sought, and his advice has the very pleasant fea- in that direction so assiduously that he was en- 
ture alxiut it that it can be relied im. Few men abled to graduate from Berkshire Medical Col- 
have such a fund of experience and anecdote, lege in 1831. In 1834, shortly after his mar- 
An out and out Republican since the days of riage. he located in Windham, Ohio, w'here he 



*% #^ 




WILLIAM H. LESLIE. 




MRS. AGNES LESLIE. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 167 

remained until 1840, wlicn he relinquished his that year, he returned to New Castle, and ac- 

practice at Windham and moved to Warren, cepted a position with the Xew Castle Wire Co., 

Ohio, where he remained for a period of five remaining with that corporation until 1892, 

years. Subsequently, he returned to Windham, when he undertook to fulfill the duties of his 

and in 1850 came to New Castle, Pa., where he i)resent ])osition as head bookkeeper of the Shen- 

has labored with an eminent degree of success, ango \alley Steel ^; Wire Co. In 1897, .Mr. 

and it is with pride and lull satisfaction tliat he White married Miss Sarah D. Forrest of Xew 

recounts the last forty-seven years spent as a Castle, I'a. 
resident of New Castle, engaged in the practice 

of the only philosophical system of medicine. ^-►•^*w 
He is a member of the Petmsylvania Medical 

Society. Dr. White is a gentleman of a very WILLIAM H. LESLIE, one of the oldest 
evenly balanced disposition, conservative by na- and most widely known residents of North ]'>ea- 
ture. especially in the acceptance of new theories vcr township, now leading a somewhat retired 
and doctrines, but the most genial and good- life on a splendid farm, was born April 27, 1822, 
hearted man that it is ever one's occasion to run on what is now called the McMurray farm in the 
across. lie is one q\ the oldest and most re- above township. This place is about two miles 
spected members of the I-'irst Presbyterian distant from where Mr. Leslie at his marriage 
Churcii of New Castle. Chester L. White com- settled, and has ever since lived. ( )ur subject is 
menced his education in the city schools of New a son of John and Nancy (Gilmore) Leslie. 
Castle and was advanced through Iberia College John Leslie was of Irish birth and parentage, 
of Iberia, Ohio. Shortly after having completed born in Donegal, County Down, but with his 
the education thus outlined, the Civil War hap- brothers (ieorge and James, emigrated to Amer- 
pened to break out, and in response to the call ica shortly after the Revolutionary W'ar. He 
for troops for three months' service, our subject had received a training in the wheelwright's 
enlisted for that ])criod in April, 1861. After trade, and on settling down in Westnu)reland 
his term of enlistment had expired, he enlisted Co., Pa., followed that calling. In 1802, he lo- 
in the 2nd Reg. Ohio Vol. Cav., in which he re- cated in North P>eaver township on a farm which 
ceived the commission of lieutenant. After three he bought with his accumulated earnings. This 
years' service he resigneil on account of ill health was new land, so the first work of the sturdy 
and after his return from the front he secured settler after coming into pt)ssession was to make 
a position in the accounting department of the a clearing, build a log-cabin and sow small plots 
Peimsylvania R. R.. and later entered the em- of grain. He then returned for his wife, a Miss 
ploy of Indianapolis & St. Louis R. R. at In- Nancy Neil, whom he had married not long be- 
dianapolis, Ind., and still later entered the em- fore, and wiio was born in Allegheny County, 
ploy of the Missouri Pacific R. R. at St. Louis, On their return tiiey labored together until the 
at which latter [ilace he remained luilil 1880. In place was cleared of the forest and brought un- 



16S BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

der cultivation. In 1814, the first wife died, now venerable couple have lived together in per- 
leaving five children: James, born March ly, feet confidence and unanimity, they have ever 
1789; George, ]\Iay 19, 1/9-2; Jennie and Adam, looked to the welfare of others. Scores of near 
twins, July 6, 1795: and John, Oct. 22, 1800. and dear friends, and many appreciative people, 
After a few years, John Leslie married again, who have been the recipients of their willingly- 
antl three children resulted from this second bestowed favors, attest on every hand the high 
union, namely: Xancy, born March 6, 1818; esteem in which Mr. Leslie and his wife are held. 
Martha, April 2-j, 1820: and William H., the Mr. Leslie soon became the owner of the farm 
subject of this sketch. Be'sides clearing 1 10 on wJiich he settled at the beginning of his mar- 
acres of forest and faithhilly attending to all the ried life. Constant care and hard work have made 
arduous duties of a pioneer farmer, John Leslie it an ideal home place. In its virgin state, the 
found time to work at his trade of wheelwright, farm was heavily timbered; with axe, wielded by 
and found considerable employment in that line brawny and sinewv arms, he hewed dow'n the 
in the newly settled country. He brought up his kings of the forest, built a new house and barns, 
large family in the way they should go, all being sowed the fields to grain, and set out many acres 
regular attendants and members of the Seccders of fruit. The apples, peaches, plums and pears 
Church. He assisted in l)uilding the first log raised on this farm are famous. It is safe to 
Seceders Church in 1797. John Leslie lived to say that in all this section, there is not to-day 
the good old age of seventy-three, dying Jan. 128 acres of land in finer condition, or more care- 
15, 1835. fuly tended, than that of Mr. Leslie's. 

William H. Leslie, the youngest of the large In 1893, rich in years and prosperous in 
family of children, was given the best education- worldly affairs, Mr, Leslie and wife celebrated 
al advantages the earlv schools could afford, and their golden wedding. This auspicious event 
in his boyhood davs profited largely bv being brought many friends from miles around, who 
continuallv thrown in contact with his sturdy had grown to know and love the aged and re- 
father. Industry, thrift, honesty and sobriety spected couple. No home in their neighborhood 
were the watchwords of those old days. The is oftener visited, and no cheery hospitality is 
early settler's struggles with nature, and the better appreciated in general than that offered by 
daily cares and obstacles to be overcome, gave Air. Leslie and his wife. Their latch-string is 
a training that developed a hardv manhood. Our ever out, and the good things of their larder are 
subject was married Nov. 30, 1843, to Agnes, always ready to minister to the refreshment of 
the daughter of John and Alargaret \\'ither- their friends and acquaintances, 
spoon, who were neighboring pioneers. Agnes William H. Leslie in his long life has never 
Witherspoon was born on the farm, which after- sought office; his political connections have, 
wards became the home of herself and husband, however, always been strong and well grounded. 
Jan. 25, 1824. No children have ever blessed their His advice in public affairs is much sought, and 
union, h\\\ through all the years in which the his ripe experience has been drawn upon by the 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



169 



leaders in the party of his choice. Mr. Leslie fortj-six, no mean reputation as a skilful and 

was originally a Whig, but about war-time he reliable mechanic. 

cast his lot with the Republican party, of which Henry Booksing spent his first years in the 

he has ever since been an ardent supporter, schools of his Fatherland; than these schools 

Both Mr. Leslie and his wife have been life-long none are Ijetter on the face of the earth. At 

members of the L'nited Presbyterian Church, seventeen years of age, the lad, whose sole cap- 

They are true Christian people, and bring the ital was a good head, a willing heart, and a ready 

teachings of their Master into their daily life. In liand, came to tlie l'nited States. His first posi- 

the fulness of their years they can look back tion was in the planing mills at Youngstown, 

upon the past, and in memory link the forests Ohio. It took the young man but a short time 

of the old days with the changed conditions of to master tlie carpenter's trade, and to become 

the present. There are few people living now- a proficient worker in wood. Turning his atten- 

adays, who have watched the building of olu" tion to mechanics and engineering, he soon was 

State and Nation step 1)y step, and still fewer, familiar with tlie practical part of those sciences, 

who have taken an active part in bringing out so that on coming to Bessemer in 1887 he was 

the developments seen at this end of the nine- (jualified to take charge of the locomotive used 

teenth century. Mr. Leslie and his beloved wife in the quarries. He followed this line of work 

are of this now fast-disappearing class. Their for nine years. Such was his faithfulness to duty, 

home, their friends, and their life-work all testify and to such good use had he employed his pow- 

that tiiey have borne their part faithfully and ers of observation, that in 1896 the company 

well. On preceding pages the publishers have made him their superintendent. This position 

placed the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie, who Mr. Booksing is now filling with credit to him- 

both represent, as few others can, the pioneer self and to the entire satisfaction of the com- 



element of the county, that has grown up with 
this section, and is now so fast disappearing. 



pany, wliose headquarters and main ofTice are at 
\\)ungstown, Ohio. Mr. liooksing believes that 
wliat is worth doing at all is worth doing well. 

^^^^^ . When you enter a pursuit, study its details from 

every standpoint, and learn all there is to learn 
IIEXRV BOOKSING, widely known about each one of them. Study your engine 
through Western Pennsylvania as the superin- from the largest casting down to the smallest 
tendent of the Bessemer Limestone Quarries, screw or bolt. Know your business in its every 
locate<I at Bes.semer. North P.eaver township, element, whether it 1)e great or small. These 
Lawrence County, was born on th 14th day of principles have placed our subject in the posi- 
February, 1851, near Hesse-Cassel, German \-. tion he now holds. 

His father, Jean Pierre Booksing, was an expert Tlie Bessemer Quarries were first opened in 

smith by trade, and in his native land had ac- 1887. Here is found a high grade of limestone, 
quired, even before his early death at the age of w hicli is (luarried and shipjied to iron furnaces 



170 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



far and wide; its purity and evenness make it of ly familiar with his work, lie makes a faithful and 

the greatest value to the iron-master. Mr. Book- reliable officer for his superiors. As a citizen and 

sing has charge of a force of 150 men at these as a man he is public-spirited, and high minded, 

quarries, and for the housing of these men the The respect in which he is held shows the intfu- 

compaiiy has erected a small settlement of four- ence which he wields personally. He is a kind 

teen double and twelve single tenements. An father, a good neighbor, and a stanch friend, 

immense and powerful stone crusher, and every Those who go to him for counsel find him pos- 

other sort of machinery that modern ingenuity sessed of keen judgment and a true knowledge 

can devise, are in use. Mr. Booksing is conduct- c)f men and affairs. He is an eminent, worthv, 

ing one of the largest industries of its kind in and useful meml)er of societv in the locality 

the United States. which he has chosen for his life work. 

Our subject was married several vears since 
to Miss Lizzie ]\Iyers, daughter of Michael 
Myers of Sodom, Ohio, and si.x children have 
blessed their union, of whom three are living at 

the present time. The names of the living chil- SILAS STEVENSON, M. D., the leading 

dren are: Willie, Lillie, and Cassie May. The physician and surgeon of Ellwood City, Wayne 

dear ones, whom death claimed were: Freddie, township, this county, is well known as a man of 

Barbara, and Christina. professional and business ability, with a great 

Henry Booksing comes from a notable ances- store of enterprising activity, that has done 

try. Far back in the history of the fannly, the „ntch toward materially helping in the growth 

name was spelled Boucsein. The family as the of Ellwood City. His career has been marked 

name indicates was of French extraction. When I,y energy and thrift, and his professional talent 

the persecutions of the Huguenots, the Protest- has been the solid foundation for his excellent 

ants of France, were instituted by the Catholic reputation among his brother-members of the 

Hierarchy, and rebellion ensued, the forefathers medical fraternity. He was born in Mahoning 

of our subject were among the thousands who township, Feb. 18, 1845, a"'l was a son of Silas 

were forced to tiee for their very lives. They Stevenson, and a grandson of James Stevenson, 

found a refuge in Protestant Cermany, where James Stevenson was born in Ireland, but 

they were permitted to pursue their peaceful vo- sought his fortune in this country, the adopted 



cations, and worship their Creator as their con- 
sciences dictated. 

Mr. liooksino- is trulv a self-made man. Beinsj 



home of many an Irishman who has felt the 
heel of the oppressor; he served in the Revolu- 
tionary War with honor, and at its close settled 



thoroughly aciiuainted with the conditions that in Mahoning Co., Ohio, where he cleared a 

surround the workingman, he is a fair and good large farm, that is a spot of local celebrity, 

master, and no complaint is made by those un- known at Mt. Nebo. His sons w^ere Elijah, 

der him of unjust dealings with them. Perfect- fames, Samuel, Silas, and Elisha M. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 171 

Silas Stevenson, the elder, married Sarah of death and great physical suffering, and when 
Cracraft of Poland, Ohio, and settled near Hills- he entered the Cleveland Medical College he 
ville, Lawrence County, where he was a wagon- made very satisfactory progress, graduating in 
maker and acquired some village property. In 1868. He located at New Bedford, Pa., and by 
1857, he removed to a farm near New Bedford, careful and thorough exercise of his skill built 
Lawrence County, where he followed agricul- up a large and paying practice. He laso owned 
tural pursuits; two years later he was elected a drug store there, and held the office of post- 
sheriff of the county. His first wife had died at master for the period of twelve years. He also 
the comparatively early age of forty-five, after represented Lawrence County in the State Leg- 
giving birth to the following children: James; islature in 1885-87. On his arrival in Ellwood 
Joseph; Nancy J.; Albert G.; John H.; Silas; City in October, 1891, he proved himself to be 
Mary A.; Martha M.; and Samuel. Of this fam- the right man for the town by investing his 
ily only Joseph, John H. and Dr. Silas are liv- money in local real estate, and by exhibiting a 
ing. About 1855, Silas Stevenson, Sr., was mar- spirit of active interest in city affairs. He has a 
ried to Mrs. Eliza Sample, and they became the great faith in the future of Ellwood City, and has 
parents of five children: Charles; James; Will- been since becoming one of its residents one of 
iam I\L; Francis P>.; and Edwin S. the foremost promoters of business enterprise, 

Dr. Silas Stevenson attended the district and a leader in every movement that is 

school when a lad, and fitted himself to study started for the purpose of booming the 

medicine in the office of Dr. A. R. McClurc. town. He has served as school director. 

The preservation of the Federal Union of the president of the school board, and presi- 

United States being involved in the somewhat dent of the council, having been one of 

doubtful outcome of the Civil War, and the calls the first councilmen. Tn 1893-94 he l)nilt a very 

for more volunteers becoming more and more handsome brick block, 26x72 feet in dimensions 

urgent. Dr. Stevenson left his studies in 1863, on the ground, and three stories high; the first 

and enlisted in the 55th Reg. Pa. \'ol. Inf. This floor is occupied by Ciiamber & Co. as a gro- 

regiment saw no battle. Feb. 16, 1864, he enlist- eery store; the second floor is used for offices 

ed in Co. K, looth Pa. Vol. Inf. He was wound- and for tenements; and the entire third floor is 

ed two months after joining the army, being shot divided off into apartments for tenement pur- 

in the right shoulder by a sharpshooter before poses. He also had constructed after his own 

Petersburg. Having received a serious wound elaborate plans and specifications an elegant 

in the head from fragments of a bursting shell at residence on the corner of Seventh Street and 

Fort Thedden, he was taken to a hospital where Park Avenue, and he also put up the edifice on 

he remained until May 15, 1865, and then dis- Lawrence Avenue, where he has his physician's 

charged. " office, fitted out in the most complete method; 

War had strengthened the doctor's sympathies this structure is 18x32 feet, two stories higli, and 

without blunting his sensibility in the presence contains one store and two tenements. The 



172 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



doctor also owns some desirable building lots 
about the town, whicli are rapidly increasing in 



hearty interest in iiuprovenients of all kinds, and 
identifying himself with the best and most pro- 



value with every passing year. He is about to gressive element of the place. He married Mar- 



build a brick edifice for oiifice and tenement pur- 
poses. Among the citizens of Ellwood City, Dr. 
Stevenson is respectetl and admired for his 
scores of qualifications for a successful business 



garet E. Love of Sharon, Pa., and they have a 
pleasant liome on one of the prettiest streets, 
where they perform their full share of social 
functions. In 1897, ^^r. Phillips was elected 



man, in addition to his enviable position at the school director, and is rapidly gaining for him- 



head of the medical fraternity. He has countless 
friends among his patients, and wins more al- 
most daily by his skill and kindness in the treat- 
ment of their ills. As a physician of good stand- 
ing in Lawrence County, his reputation is unex- 
celled. 

In 1870, Dr. Stevenson allied himself in the 
married state with Sarah E. Robinson, daughter 
of Samuel Robinson of Alahoningtown, this 
county. No children came to cheer their hearts, 
and being fond of young people, they took a lit- 
tle girl to live with them. Miss Myrtle Stewart, 
who grew up to a beautiful womanhood, and 
married Robert A. \\'hite, a contractor and 
builder, to whom she bore one child, Leona. 



self a reputation for earnestness of purpose and 
full endeavor in making Ellwood Citv's schools 
inferior to none in the county. 

The Ellwood Tinplate Co. was established in 
1894, with H A. Bishop, president; A. W. 
Brown, vice-president and general manager; 
Charles Babcock, treasurer; all of the above resi- 
dents of Cleveland, Ohio; and James R. Phil- 
lips, secretarv and general superintendent. In 
the same year the factory was built in the west- 
ern part of the city, and following are some of 
the departments: hot mill department, 200x250 
feet; tin house No. i, 100x50 feet; tin house No. 
-• 75^50 feet; assorting room. 45x90: ware- 
house, 35x250. A part of these buildings were 



Medical Examiner of Pensions in the Lawrence 
and Beaver County district. He is now president 
of the borough council. 



From 1888 to 1892 the Doctor served as U. S. erected in 1894, and the work immediately com- 
menced, three hundred men being employed, 
and a weekly output of 3,500 bo.xes being aver- 
aged. All kinds of roofing are manufactured 
and tin of all grades, for which the company has 

' ■" ' ^*"" gained an excellent reptutation over a wide 

stretch of territory, the product, however, being 
JAMES R. PHILLIPS is the secretary and shipped principally to eastern markets. The 
general superintendent of the Ellwood Tinplate business is placed on a solid financial basis, and 
Co., of Ellwood City, I'a. He is English by has grown to the extent that in 1897 more space 
birth, as he was born near Dudlev, England. was needed, and the following rooms were 
He became associated in 1894 with the Ellwood added: a pickling rcjom, 55x75 feet, an annealing 
Tinplate Co., and to-dav is one of Ellwood house, 75x100 feet, a cold r(_illing department, 
City's leading and influential citizens, taking a 65x75 feet. The hot mills were increased from 




SAMUEL MOORHEAD. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



175 



four to five, and tlie cold mills from four to six. 
By these additions the company was enabled to 
raise the weekly product to 4,400 boxes, and 
give employment to 100 more men. This is up 
to the present day one of the most prosperous 
and most firmly established firms in that line in 
the United States. Mr. Phillips has devoted 
energy and good judgment to furthering the in- 
terests of the company and of all connected 
therewith, and the success of the firm is attribu- 
ted in a large measure to his untiring efforts. 



SAMUEL MOORHEAD, an extensive 
contractor of New Castle in the construction of 
sewers, and in street grading and paving, resides 
at Xo. 20 1 West Washington Street. He was 
born in Neshannock township, Mercer County, 
on a farm, that is now included within the limits 
of the borough of \\'est New Castle, Aug. 18, 
1837, and is a son of John and Jane (McCleary) 
Moorhead. Our subject's mother was born in 
New Castle, May 10, 1816, and died there Dec. 
12, 1889; she was a daughter of Samuel and 
Nancy (Gordon) McCleary, who died at the ages 
of forty-four and sixty years respectively. Sam- 
uel McCleary was a stone-mason in early life, 
and it is claimed that in 1812 he erected the first 
two-story building in New Castle, building it on 
the plot of ground where the Y. M. C. A. Build- 
ing now .stands. He was also a large farmer, 
and owned a valuable tract of 400 acres, now 
located in the borough of West .\ew Castle. In 
addition to his other lines of business and occu- 
pation, lie kept a large store, where the Rink 



Building is now located on Beaver and Wash- 
ington Streets. He was a man of unusual busi- 
ness tact and energy, and although he died at 
the carlv age of forty-four years he had accumu- 
lated a fine fortune for those days. 

John Moorhead, our subject's father, was a 
son of James and Katherine Moorhead, and was 
born on the same farm as was his father — a 
tract bought by his grandfather, William Moor- 
head, between New Castle and Malioningtown, 
now within the city limits. William Moorhead 
was born in what was then Westmoreland Coun- 
ty, and came to Beaver County, prior to 1775, 
and purchased three or four hundred acres of 
rich farming land in the river bottoms. He fol- 
lowed farming all his life, and was finally laid 
away to rest in Greenwood Cemetery. A cherrj' 
tree some six feet in circumference is growing 
above him, and has crowded from its pedestal 
the moss-grown slab, on which is carved in 
quaint old letters: "Beneath this stone lies the 
body of William Moorhead, who died May 27, 
1819, aged seventy-one years." James Moor- 
head, his son, died in 1857, at the age of eighty- 
two years; his wife was a Miss Christy. He was 
engaged in pursuits of an agricultural nature all 
his life, and owned in addition to the ordinary 
farm buildings a still-house, as it was the custom 
in those days for every welt-to-do farmer to util- 
ize his surplus crop of rye in the manufacture of 
spirits. Everyone kept a decanter of "old rye" 
on the sideboard, and its contents were as free 
as water. When our subject's father came to 
the age of choosing a profession or of being ap- 
prenticed to a trade, his father bt)und him out 
to a hatter on Beaver Street, with whom he 
served his three years of apprenticeship; after 



176 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

learning the trade and Ijecoming entitled to construction and in grading and paving streets, 

journeyman's wages, he gave it up, as he ilid not Mr. Moorhead has executed a large amount of 

like it. He soon afterwards became interested work, of which quite a consi<lerable part has 

in railroad building, and developed into a rail- Ijeen done right at home in New Castle, and it 

road contractor, and was known extensively Ijears eloquent testimony to his ability to per- 

through Western Pennsylvania and the upper form large contracts, and to do them well to the 

Ohio Valley. As soon as he was old enough, satisfaction of the taxpayers. 

Samuel Aloorhead worked with his father in Mr ]\Ioorhead was first married to Ada 
street grading, paving, etc., and when of age Alcorn, who was born May 12, 1853, and died 
went into j)artnership with him, which relation March 3, 1804. His second marriage was with 
continued until his father's death in 1887, at the Jennie M. Fullerton, daughter of James and 
age of eight\-seven years. Of the six children, Ann (Clark) Fullerton. Mrs. Moorhead is a 
born to John and Jane (McCleary) Moorhead, member of the church in which her husband 
only two survive; Samuel, the eldest, and was baptized, and under whose watchful care 
Charles, the third in order of birth. he grew up. Mr. Moorhead is a Republican, 
Samuel Moorhead was four years of age and at all times gives hearty sui)])ort to the men 
when his father moved to the borough of West and measures of his party. He has served his 
New Castle, and made his home in a house on borough as auditor and as assessor, and has 
the l(jt where our subject now resides, and where been elected to other ofifices, but he has respect- 
he has been living since 1841, though the old fully declined to serve, for the pressure of his 
house has been replaced with a handsome mod- own business seemed to demand his whole at- 
ern residence, which is supplied with all the tention. As a prominent and respected citizen 
modern conveniences, and furnished tastefully of New Castle, we place Mr. Moorhead's portrait 
throughout with all those comforts, that go to mi a preceding page in connection with this brief 
make a home so dear. He attended the various outline of his life, 
public and private schools in New Castle, and 
finished at the seminary, near the Presbyterian 
Church. After he had attained his majority, in 
order to further perfect himself for a successful 

business life, he took a course in the Iron City CHARLES F. Bl'CHANAN, funeral direc- 
Business College of Pittsburg. The earliest tor and furnishing undertaker of Ellwood City, 
work in which he was engaged with his father Wavne township, this county, is one of the lead- 
was on the Baltimore tS: Ohio R. R., near ing business men of that city : he was one of the 
\\'heeling, \'a.. in 1851, that being several years first to locate in Ellwood City as a desirable 
prior to their partnership. Tlieir tirst work un- field, and iluring all the years of his residence 
der the firm name of John Moorhead & Son was there has been included among the first promot- 
on the Northwestern R. R. in 1857. In sewer crs of the place, active and energetic, almost un- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 177 

tiring in liis efforts to advance the interests and anil undertaking for a year, when he sold his 
welfare of what is one of the most remarkable interest, and came to \e\\ Castle, and was em- 
cities of its size and years in Western Pennsyl- ployed by undertaker A. X'andenvort until 1886, 
vana. i fc was a son of Andrew and Rosanna when the concern passed into the hands of S. 
(Means) Buchanan, and numbers his days from Dunn & Son. At this time, Mr. nuchanan 
March 16, 1850, when he began life near New found a suitable opportunity to buv the stock 
Castle, Lawrence County. and business of W. H. Braby of Wampum, and 

Andrew Buchanan was born in (ierman- he has since carried on an establishment of his 
town, Philadelphia County, I'a.. near the own there. In iSgo. he built on Lawrence Avc- 
City of Brotherly Love, and was Scotch nue, Ellwood City, a business block, 22x60 feet 
by descent. lie learned the carpenter's on the ground, which is now owned by Dr. 
and shiplniilder's trades, and when a young George J. Boyd, one of the leading physicians 
man came to Xew Castle, and became the and surgeons of that city. This block was built 
owner of a farm near East Brook, five miles on the tract of land, originally in the John lla- 
from the city limits. He carried on farming zen farm, which was laid out in citv lots; in this 
there, although never wholly giving up his block he opened up a furniture store and under- 
trade; he was naturally of a strong, rugged con- taking establishment, which he conducted for six 
stitution, and met his death by accident while he years, when he disposed of the furniture dcpart- 
was building a bridge, receiving a fall, that ter- ment on I-'eb. 1, 1897, and built an office and 
minated his life at the age of fifty-six. His wife undertaking rooms on Sixth Street. Of the pub- 
survived until 1880. and rounded out an allot- lie works, in which .Mr. Buchanan has taken a 
nuiit of seventy-four years. Their children prominent part, one was the introduction of the 
were: Andrew, William. Elizabeth, James, and Bell telephone system for general use in 1891, 
Charles E. and in 1893 'i*-' ^^'^^ foreiTiost in having a connec- 

Charles E. Buchanan, whose parentage has tion made with the long distance telephone, thus 

just been delineated, entered a commission- bringing Ellwood City into ready conuTiunica- 

house as clerk when he was sixteen years of age. ti(jn with all the cities for hundreds of miles 

After some time in such employment, he secured around. Mr. Buchanan acted as postmaster of 

a place in an undertaking establishment of Cin- Ellwood City from June, 1891, to November, 

cinnati. where he learned the art, and became 1892, and also served in the city council for three 

skilled in the work. P^or four years he was in years. 

Western States, and then made his way back to His wife is an cstimai)le lady, formerly Mrs. 

Pennsylvania, and from 1881 to 1884 assisted Carrie Taylor, and a daughter of William White 

Braliy & Harmony in undertaking. In 1884 he of Xew Castle. Mr. I'.uchanan is a member and 

went to Portland. Indiana, and formed a part- Past Grand of Wampum Lodge, No. 865, I. (). 

nership, which went by the name of Lusk & O. E. ; he is also a member of Pludella Lodge, 

ISuchanan; he retained his share in the furniture Knights of Pythias, of New Castle; and the Elks 



178 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Lodge, No. J83, of Rochester, Beaver Co., Pa. \\'. Davidson's barn is located. At the end of 
Mr. Buchanan, as has been stated, controls two three years, he erected the Turner livery barn, 
undertaking establishments, one in ^^'anlpu^l, keeping as a first-class ecjuipment sixteen good 
and the other in Elhvood City; he is prepared to sound horses and a variety of elegant and useful 
furnisli undertaking fin-nishings or act as funer- carriages. Mr. Turner proved a successful stu- 
al director; he makes a specialty of providing cut dent of the needs of travelers, and he catered to 
flowers, fie is peculiarly fitted for his occupa- their wants accordingly. When he had built up 
tion, and faithfully executes the wishes of a a fine business and had placed everything in the 
large circle of patrons; as a mortician his long best of shape he sold the liver\- stable and con- 
experience has rendered him an adept. tents to his brother, ^Villiam C. Turner, and in- 
vested the proceeds in the store, that is now 
widely known as the "Red Letter Shoe Store." 
It is the only exclusive shoe store in the city, 
and it is really very surprising the amount of 
SAMUEL P. TL'RNER. The rapid growth business that is done there. Vlx. Turner has 
of Ellwood City has given rise to numerous risen to be one of the men in Elhvood City 
large and tfourishing business houses, among whose financial credit is sound. He is ever 
which the "Red Letter Shoe Store" occupies a ready to devote time and money to forward the 
position of prominence. The prosperity of the development of the city's resources, and any 
establishment is solely due to the ability and in- measure to make Ellwood a clean, moral city 
tegrity of the proprietor, Samuel P. Turner, the meets with his hearty approval and finds him a 
subject of this brief biographv. willing assistant. Air. Turner is a spirited char- 
A glance at his business life shows him l)egiii- acter, whose membership in the Presbyterian 
ning to farm in early manhood in Jackson Cen- Church means more to him that it does to many 
ter, Mercer Co., Pa. He learned the shoe- excellent people, as he takes pains to live up to 
maker's trade, working at that until 1876. in his spiritual duties in every sense. As a citizen, 
which year he went to Sandy Lake to engage in Air. Turner is abreast of the times, and keeps 
the hotel and livery business. Finding himself himself well informed on topics of the day. He 
well occupied in the hotel business, and obtain- understands pretty thoroughly the political his- 
ing a good living from it. he retained it for eigh- tory of our country, and delights in expounding 
teen years. He was liked by the people in the Democratic principles and theories. On ques- 
vicinity of Sandy Lake, as well as by those who tions of local issue, he is invariably consulted, as 
were wont to stop at his hostelry as guests, and he influences a large following. Mr. Turner was 
many were the expressions of regret that were justice of the peace for four years, filling the 
given voice to, when Air. Turner left for a wider ofiiice with credit to himself. He belongs to 
field of usefulness. In iSgi, our subject opened Ellwood Lodge, No. 599, I'. & A. M. He is also 
a fine livery stable in Ellwood City, where W. a member of the I. O. O. F. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 179 

In regard to his private home life, there are a ion of John Hosac; Clarissa W'., alone, was 
number of items that should not be omitted, be- called by death to leave her place in the home; 
cause they are so very closely connected with his Kvaline was espoused by M. M. McElwain; Ida 
inner life, lie married as his first wife Harriet R. married R. P. Robenson; Clarence E. select- 
Bowers, who died at thirty-four years of age, ed for his helpmeet Alta R. Webb. The father 
leaving three children; of these I'rances married of this interesting family, Esben Turner, was a 
William Lathem of New Castle and has a child, native of Jackson township, Mercer County, 
William; Charles is a conductor on the P. & L. where he was born May 14, 1812. Going back 
E. R. R., having his liome in New Castle; Tena to his life story brings uj) the scene often de- 
married James McCurdy, a farmer of Jackson scribed in the settlement of a new country: the 
township, Mercer County, and they have three father going out to work, axe on his shoulder, 
children. Mr. Turner then contracted a mar- with only primitive tools with which to fell the 
riage with Mary Peters, whose father was Jona- trees, yet with patience and great effort slowly 
than Peters. She died at forty-two years of age, clearing the timber away from his acres of for- 
leaving five childrei^as a legacy to her husband, est land, that he might till the rich soil thus e.\- 
Laura, the eldest, is married and is no longer posed. By painful, unceasing labor, Mr. Turner 
under the parental roof; Alfred and Judson are provided for his family, and at length became 
intelligent, hard-working meclianics; Tony, the possessed of considerable property, the fruit of 
youngest, lives at home ]\Ir. Turner's present his own exertions and sacrifices. He built a 
wife was formerly Mrs. Jane Jack. She posses- saw -mill of the kind used then, the up and down 
ses many admirable traits of character, and is a saw; that brought in custom work, and was a 
lady who is thoroughly liked by all her neigh- fruitful means of adding to tlie family purse, 
bors. With lumber from his ow'n mill, he erected a 

Samuel P Turner was born in Jackson Cen- frame dwelling of commodious proportions on 
ter, Mercer Co., Pa., March 25, 1843. He was a the road between Mercer and Franklin, and the 
son of Esben and Rachel (Clark) Turner. There house being favorably located and well suited 
was a large family in the Turner home, and the for such purposes he conducted a hotel, becom- 
children were living exponents of the principle ing a popular host and increasing his acquaint- 
that fresh air, good food, and plenty of exercise ance considerably through the county. This 
make strong, vigorous constitutions. A brief re- hotel was run for many years, but the structure 
sume of the record is as foUow-s: Mary A. wed- is now^ used as a private dwelling. Mr. Turner 
ded A. H. Turner; Wiliam C. married Rachel lived successively in Centertown and Sandy 
Ride; Hester J. became the wife of J. F. John- Lake, finally returning to Jackson Cen- 
son; Catherine married G. \\'. Armstrong; Sam- ter. His lite terminated at sixty-six years, 
uel P., our subject, was the fifth child; George the cause being heart failure. Esben Turner 
W. entered the ministry and married Martha J. was largely a self-made man, and his life was a 
McClelland; Milcah P. became the life-compan- good example for his sons to emulate. Being a 



180 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

mail of strong religious belief, I\Ir. Turner never crossing the Allegheny River below Franklin, to 

deviated from the teachings of the Presbyterian what was then known as Westmoreland County, 

Church, and eniljodied them as far as possible in a trip of three hundred miles. In realitv all ter- 

his daily avocations. Airs. Turner, the mother ritory west of the Allegheny Mountains was 

of our subject, lived to attain the age of seven- known by that name. In reward for their long 

ty-seven. dangerous journey, Mr. Turner succeeded in ob- 

One more chai)ter in the Turner genealogy taining a large tract of land, a mile and a quar- 

brings to view the pioneer, Alexander Turner, ter north of the place that is now Jackson Cen- 

the grandfather of Samuel P. He was the second ter. Mrs. Turner was the second white woman 

son of William Turner, who went from Scotland to come to this section of the country, and being 

to Ireland about 1760, settling in County An- even handier with the axe than was her hus- 

trini, where he followed the trade of a weaver, band, she was able to help materially in clearing 

Mis three children, John, Alexander, and Mary, the forest and building the first log-house. The 

were taught his trade. Suffering the loss of his children born tij Wx. and Mrs. Alexander Tur- 

wife, \\'illiam Turner remarried, but his choice ner were: \\'illiam; Elizabeth; Alexander, Jr.; 

was disapproved liv his sons, who left him on Annie; John ; James; Samuel; Krickbaimi; Clar- 

that account. In 1788, the sons sailed for Am- issa; ]\Iilcah: T'sther; and Esbcn. IMrs Turner 

erica. A terrible accident, fatal in its conse(iuen- passed away July 24, 1824, and ]\Ir. Turner went 

ces, happened soon after their arrival in New to his reward Nov. 20, 1840. 

York. They secured work on a farm, and Such is the history as traced from the family 

John was riding horselmck one day, when he records — a tale of hard-working, honest people, 

was thrown from his saddle, and struck a great who were easily led, when they knew the way 

scythe, which caused his death. After that sad tcj be the right one, but firm as a rock against 

event, Alexander went to Philadelphia, where he evil doing. The descendants of the early pion- 

engaged in weaving. He married Nancy Krick- cer are scattered to many different parts ci{ the 

baum, and lived contentedly several years until world, Init wherever met with they are known 

he was seized with a desire to make a home on as worthy and eminently respectable people, 
the frontier. His wife was not the woman to l)e 
daunted by the difficult journey through wilder- 
nesses and over rugged mountains. She shoul- 
dered a gun, and led the cow the entire length of 

the journey. Three horses hitched in tandem THC)MAS DUGAN is the enterprising pro- 
fashion were burdened with great panniers on prietor of the Dugan Hotel of Ellwood City, 
their backs, therein Ijeing bestowed their world- where he is widelv known to the traveling pub- 
ly goods and, what was more precious to them, lie as a genial and accommodating host, and as 
their four small children. Thus they journeyed by a gentleman of sterling (|ualities. He was born 
easy stages past Mauch Chunk and Bellefonte, in England, July 3, 1834, and was a son of Sam- 





■»r^ 



MRS. NANCY COCHRAN and Her Husband JAMES. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



183 



uel Dugan, who was a butcher and a grocer as 
well as hotel-keeper. 

The present Mr. Dugan passed his youth in 
England, crossing to this country when fully 
grown and able to care for himself, and finding 
employment in the rolling-mills at Cleveland, 
Ohio, as a heater. Then he worked in Pittsburg 
four years, and at the end of that period, Mr. 
Dugan took charge of the old English Hotel in 
Pittsburg, and retained that position many 
years, and so long was his service there that at 
one time he contemplated retiring permanently 
from active labor. When Ellwood City began to 
grow and to attract favorable attention because 
of its rapid progress, Mr. Dugan came liere and 
invested in real estate, building an elegant brick 
block in 1893 that contained a double store, tlic 
dimensions being 66x60 feet, which structure is 
located at No. 948 T.awrcnce Avenue. Tn the 
following year, Wx. Dugan fitted up the building 
as a hotel, and again demonstrated successfully 
his ability to cater to the wants of travelers, as 
he made it thoroughly modern in all of its aj)- 
pointments and conveniences, and furnished it 
with elegance. Mr. Dugan has extensive prop- 
erty interests, as he owns in addition to the block. 



principles of the Republican party. His influ- 
ence is invariably cast on the side of high moral 
principles and strict integrity, and while not iden- 
tifying himself with any religious denomination, 
he has the highest respect for that true Christian- 
ity which impels man to recognize his brother- 
man in all the relations of life. He is now in the 
enjoyment of a well-earned competence, the re- 
sult of his own skill, industry, and perseverance, 
and can look back upon a well-spent life, con- 
scious of never having done a willful wrong to 
anyone. He has the esteem, confidence and af- 
fection of a wide circle of friends who delight to 
do him honor. 



.MRS. .NANCY C( )C11RAN, one of the best- 
known and most highly respected women of 
Lawrence County and North l?eaver townshi]), 
was born at Hilltown, and is the widow of the 
late James Cochran. She is the daughter of 
Robert and Jane (Miller) Lochlin, and the 
granddaughter of Robert and Nancy (Anderson) 



Lochlin, both born in County Down, near Donc- 

already mentioned, considerable real estate and a gal- Ireland. Robert Lochlin, the grandfather of 

number of tenements. He has always been ready the subject of this article, came to America with 

and willing to further in any possible manner the '"s wife, making the trip on a sailing-vessel, and 

progress of the flourishing city in which he has being for seven weeks out of sight of land. They 

become one of the prominent citzens. settled in North Beaver township, about two 

Mrs. Dugan is also of English extraction, as miles from what is now known as Mt. Jackson. 



her father, George Rowley, was a native of the 
mother country. Mr. Dugan participates in 
municipal affairs with his usual spirit and en- 
ergy, and on occasions when partv politics pre- 
vail he unflinchinglv maintains the platform and 



Later on. Mr. Lochlin and his family resided in 
Moravia, and finally moved to New Bedford, 
where he died aged eighty-nine years. His faith- 
ful wife, the companion througii a long and sin- 
gularly happy married life, lived until her sixty- 



184 



ROOK OF RIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



eiglith year. Their cliililren were: Martin, 
Polly, William, Alexander, Martha, John, James, 
and Robert, the last the father of Mrs. Cochran. 
Robert Lochlin, the younger, was born in North 
Beaver township, and at an early age began 
studying for the Christian ministry. His health 
failed him, however, to his great disappointment, 
and he had to give up his studies for some out- 
side emplo}'ment that would ])Ut health and 
vigor into his constitution. He chose civil en- 
gineering as a pursuit and followed it for several 
years, finally end^arking in mercantile lines. But 
he soon found this too confining, and according- 
ly taught school in Lawrence Count \' antl across 
the line in the State of Ohio for a nundjer of 
years. He died at the early age of thirty-six 
years, and the grass had grown green over his 
grave but a few summers, when his wife, the 
daughter of William and Elizabeth (Law) Mil- 
ler, followed him. William ]\lillcr, the maternal 
grandfather of the subject of this biograplu', was 
a well-known and patriotic citizen: he served in 
the army at Fort Erie during the War of 1812, 
and sickened and died there: Iiis widow drew a 
pension after his death. Robert Lochlin left 
four children: William and Robert, both de- 
ceased: John, who resides in the State of Kan- 
sas; and Nancy (Mrs. Cochran). 

James Cochran was born in Allegheny Co., 
Pa., and resided there many years. When a 
young man he learned and became very profi- 
cient at the silver-plating trade, and followed 
that trade for a long time. Later on he turned 
his attention to farming and bought a ])lace, 
where he supported himself and family by agri- 
cultural operations. He was upright, industrious, 
and progressive. Success seemed to crown his 



efforts from the start. Befr)re many years had 
passed he was enabled to retire to Edenburg, 
where he passed away in 1878, aged sixty-eight 
years. Mr. Cochran was twice wedded before 
he married his last wife, Mrs. Nancy Cochran, 
the subject of this article. First he was united to 
Sophia K. IL McFarland, who died leaving six 
children: Margaret Ann, William, Andrew M., 
Hannah E., R. Sylvester, and Mary Ann. Mr. 
Cochran's second wife was a Miss Jane Needier, 
who died leaving no issue. 

Mrs. Nancy Cochran has alwavs been a bright, 
active woman. From her father she inherited a 
good mind and scholarly instincts. She received 
a good education, and was trained in the art of 
dress-making and millinery, lines in which she 
became ver\^ skilled and successful. Her bright, 
cheerful ways have always made her verv popu- 
lar, while her shrewd, business-like methods 
gained her the respect of all. After the death of 
her husband Airs. Cochran settled down at Mt. 
Jackson. Always of a vigorous, restless tem- 
l^erament, she desired to busy herself at some- 
thing. She was the possessor of an ample com- 
petence, suiificient to keep her in comfort the 
remainder of her life, but her thriftv habits would 
not allow her to idle any time away, so she began 
nursing jieople that were ill. ft is safe to say 
that no poor, suffering, tortured mortal ever had 
a more tender, motherly attendant, or one whose 
touch was more gentle, ur whose voice was more 
soothing. She has taken manv elderlv ladies to 
care for. So simple and unostentatious has Mrs. 
Cochran been in her ways, yet such a power for 
doing good to them in need, that there is noth- 
ing to be wondered at in the fact that she is so 
widely known, loved and esteemed. Her prop- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAU'KliXCH COCXTY. 



is:. 



erty she manages wisely and well. She owns W.. William, Robert John, Samuel, Thomas, 
considerable real estate in and about Manhon- Jane. Emcline, Mary, Rachel, Lizzie, Laviua, 
ingtown, as well as some houses and lots at and Nancy. 



other points. She enjoys most excellent health, 
being the possessor of a very strong constitu- 
tion. It is the unanimous wish of her exceeding- 
ly wide circle of friends that she be spared to 
them for manv vears to come. 



George W. Shannon, the Doctor's father, 
when he started out for himself, bought a farm 
near Mercer, wliere he still resides, and where 
he is engaged in breeding horses, and in carry- 
ing on general farming. He learned correct 



On a preceding page we present the portraits methods from his father, and sound judgment 



of Mrs. Cochran and her late husband. 



WILLIAM A. SIIAXXUX, M. D. Promi- 
nent among the successful professional men ol 
Elhvood City, who by carefully diagnosing his 
cases, and bringing his knowledge to bear in liave five children, all of whom are living, nan'ie- 



aided his natural taste for agriculture, so that in 
time he became one of the solid and reliable men 
of Mercer County. His name was on the drafted 
list during the Rebellion, but he was not called 
on for active service. In his political ])refcrences 
he is a stanch Republican, and zealously upholds 
the principles brought forward by that party. 
His wife's early home was in Pittsburg. They 



their treatment, has established a reputation sec- 
ond to none in the city or in the vicinity, is the 
subject of this sketch. He is indigenous to this 
part of Pennsylvania, as he began life near Mer- 
cer, Mercer Co., Pa. He is descended from 
George W. and Jane (Johnston) Shannon, and 
back one generation from John and N'ancy 
(Ross) Shannon. The grandparents lived on a 
farm in Mercer County, although Mrs. Shan- 
non was born in Crawford County. They were 
people of the persevering, patient type, that 
make haste slowly but surely in the matter of 
accumulating wealth. They removed to Sandy 
Lake about 1872, where they spent the closing 
days of life. There is a remarkable record in 
the Shannon family, and that is that of fourteen 
children, onlv one is deceased, and the eldest 



ly: William A., the subject of this article; 
Agnes; James J., a dentist of F.llwood City. Pa.; 
Ciilbert L. ; and David E. 

Dr. Shannon attended the ])ublic schools until 
he was seventeen years of age. He made up his 
mind to enter a profession, and after much seri- 
ous thought he selected the medical as being the 
best fitted for his tastes, as well as his being 
adapted to it. His youth was filled with plans 
for his career, and he took up teaching as a 
means to the desired end. To better prepare 
himself for his profession as well as for teaching, 
he entered (jrove City College, and progressed 
through the regular course, teaching school in 
the simuiier, and was graduated in 1888 at the 
head of his class. In i888-8y he was principal 
of the Sheffield school, where he discharged his 



was sixty-three years of age in 1897. T''"-* twelve duties as a pedagogue to the einincnt satisfac- 
of the family now living are: James, George tion of the school patrons. The next year he 



180 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

resumed his medical studies, becoming a student He is a member of the Lawrence County Medi- 
in the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, cal Society. In fraternal orders is a member of 
and taking up his work with earnestness and K. P., Alma Lodge, No. 420, of Elhvood City; 
vim. He was granted a degree in 1892, and at Elhvood City Lodge, Y. & A. !M., No. 599; and 
once began his practice in Porterville, Piutler I. C) O. F., Glen Park Lodge, No. 1016, of Ell- 
Co., Pa. In a few months he was drawn by the wood City. 

superior attractions of Ellwood City, and the Dr. Shannon was fortimate in his selection of 

prospect of a good field, to change his residence a wife in the person of ]\Iiss Clara Koerner, an 

and build up a new ])atronage. Having had the amiable and accomplished young lady of Alle- 

advantage of late discoveries in his medical gheny. Pa. Dr. and Mrs. Shannon have a sweet 

training, and having adopted improved methods little daughter, ALarian E., who came to the 

in the science of healing, he was able to treat home on Dec. 17, 1895, and claimed their love 

properly difficult cases that came to his notice and devotion, 
that might well have puzzled a more experienced 
man. In medicine as in other employments, if a 
man would rise, he must work, and he will ever 
find ])lentv of r<iom at the top. P)r. .Shannon is 

recognized as nne who is Imund to win; he has DAYII) L. ClINN I NdllAM, a leading rcsi- 

taken his place in the countv as one who has dent and bu.siness nuui nf I'.llwnoil Cily, is a 

come to stav, and is (|uietly engaged in attend- large landed proprielDr and a heavy tlealer in 

ing to the stream of practice that is converging real estate in the aboxe-named city. He was 

in his directiiin. He is well-read, a dee]") and I'ue of the first as well as one of the most active 

logical thinker, with good judgment, ;uid keen, and enterprising business men frcim the very 

trustworthv good common sense. These quali- date of the city's incorporatiim, and during the 

ties, united to fine social address, tend to make >ears of subsequent growth has kejit i)ace witii 

him popular and command for him the confi- the developments, and still occupies a promi- 

dence and esteem of the whole connnunitv. Pos- nent position in commercial circles as he did at 

sessing a strong anil.)ition, and a hi.gh standard the beginning. He is indigenous to Lawrence 

of professional excellence, with the sympathy of County, his birth having occurred in Wayne 

a noble and womaidv life-companion, he is well- townshi]), where his family were mmibered 

fitted to attain a front rank in his chosen pro- among the oldest residents. 

fession, and to secure in short time the perman- William C. Cunningham, his great-grand- 

ent rewards of a successful career. The Doctor father, was born Oct. 10, 1767: he came to 

is Republican in his political preferences, but Lawrence County from Fayette County in 1796, 

he has not had tlie time for aspirations in the and settled on a two-hundred-acre farm, now the 

field of political favor, as he j^laces his profes- property of J. P. Cunningham, where he died 

sion cni[)hatically before every other interest. Sept. 3, 1852. His wife was Mary Smith, who 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPIIIFS. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 187 

was born June 24, 1779, and who passed away pains, which enabled them to undertake needed 

on Feb. 16, 1865. improvements, among whicli was the replacing 

Their son, Benjamin, born Dec. 17, 1800, in of all the old structures about the place with 
Heaver Countv. succeeded to the ownership of new buildings. Mr. Cunningham held a firm 
the land, whicii he had helped to clear, and be- belief in Republican principles, and gave con- 
sides purchased an adjacent piece that contained siderable time and attention to the consideration 
170 acres. He put up a log-house, and after his of political questii>ns, though never aspiring to 
farm was cleared, he discovered that the clay puiilic office. During the Civil War, he was 
banks on his place could be suitably worked drafted, but was not called on for duty in the 
into good brick ; so he set right to work, manu- field of action. 

factured a large quantity, and built the comfort- David L. Cunningham, in whose life the chief 

able brick farm-house, now the residence of J. P. interest of this personal history is centered, at- 

Cunningham. He laid down his labors and en- tended the district schools in Wayne township, 

tered into rest when he had reached three score and worked on tiie homestead until his marriage 

years, and his wife filled out the allotted space to Miss Agnes Parker, daughter of John Parker 

of three score years and ten. Martha Cunning- of Wampum, this county This second great 

ham bore her Inisband tlie following children: event in his life having l)een celebrated in due 

Elias; William W.; Joseph; David; Mary; Hen- form, he went to housekeeping with his young 

derson; and several others wiio died before at- wife on a farm of eighty-four acres near New 

taining adult age. Wilmington, in Mercer County. There they 

William W. Cunningham, the father of our built a good house and barn, improved the land, 
subject, on arriving at manhood's estate, pur- and lived in i)cacc and full contentment until 
chased fiftv acres of unimproved land adjoining 1890. At that date Ellwood City was springing 
tlie parental estate, where he l)uilt liimself a log- into prominence in Lawrence County as a grow- 
house, and brought the land into subjection and ing young city, full of rich opportunities for 
productiveness with axe and plow. He married those who would but seize them and take advan- 
Nancy Vaneman, whose father was George tage of them. After thoroughly looking the 
\anenian of Moravia, Lawrence County. Mrs. ground over, and becoming convinced of Ell- 
Cunningham l)ecamo the mother of Keziah, wood City's splendid adaptation as a busmess 
Slemons. Maria M., David L., .•Xmos 15., Sophia, center, he decided to rent his farm, and to merge 
Wiley and Frank, all of whom are living. Over- himself in with the commercial life of the place, 
work caused Mr. Cunningham's health to fail, He erected one of the first buiklings used for a 
and he was only forty-two years of age when he store, and for two years Mr. Cunningham was 
was removed from the midst of his sorrowing engaged in dealing in merchandise on the cor- 
family, being laid to rest in 1869. The wife and ner of Seventh Street and Lawrence Avenue, 
children carried on the farm with substantial where his office is now located. He has built 
success, and met with a fair reward for tlieir eight dwelling-Iiouses, all of which are rented 



188 



BOOK OF BfOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



except the handsome brick residence on the cor- city, developed a taste for farm Hfe, and accord- 

ner of Fifth Street and Fountain Avenue, which ingly followed agricultural pursuits all his life, 

is familiar to all Ellwood City residents as the He married a Miss Cochran, and of the eleven 

Cunningham home. In co-operation with children born to them, the father of our subject 



George B. Nye, Mr. Cunningham owns a farm 
of thirty-five acres which they have laid out for 
a cemetery, and eight huntlred acres in the oil 
district of Slippery Rock township with Robert 



was the third in order of birth. 

Henry Barnes was born in Lawrence Co., Pa., 
and at an early age learned the cabinet-maker's 
trade, which, in conjunction wjth carpentry work, 



C. Aiken. He was elected constable and tax constitutetl his chief means of livelihood 



collector of the city in 1892, which has been his 
only elevation to an official position. 



throughout his life. He was a stanch Republi- 
can, politically. Six children were allotted to 



Mr. Cunningham is one of the men who are him as follows: Andrew, born Sept. 16, 1839; 
chiefly responsible for the fine showing of the Sarah A., May 25, 1842; Caroline, June 3, 1846; 
Ellwood City of to-day; from the very outset he David F., Oct. 28, 1848; Thomas, Nov. 28, 1851 ; 
possessed a firm belief in the city's future pros- and Mary F., May 25, 1859. Henry Barnes was 
perity, and lost no time in assisting in bringing born July 4, 1812, and departed this life July 10, 
that good time along with success in his own 1894. They were Presbyterians in point of 
business ventures. He is a man of recognized church attendance and creed. Mr. Barnes enlisted 
business methods, and has been of invaluable iu the United States service in the War of the 
assistance in building up his adopted city. He is Rebellion, and served four years in Co. G, 76th 
l)ossessed of acute perceptions, and understands Reg. Pa. \ol. Inf. 

value in realty more thoroughly than many men The subject of this narration was educated in 

with vastly more experience in common life, the excellent schools of New Castle, and when 
Combining thrift and energy, he has made for a young man secured employment in the nail 
himself an adniiral)le business man, and his deal- factory, where he remained about seven years. 

W'iien twenty-two years of age, he learned the 
carpenter's and joiner's trade, and fc)lk)wed the 
same luitil 1883, when he turned his attention to 
mercantile pursuits, and has since been engaged 
in a general retail grocery business, in which he 
has been very successful. 

In the month of April, 1884, he was married to 
Cordelia Rigby, daughter of Eli Rigby of New 
Castle. The following children were born to 
them: Edna, deceased: Stella; Carl; Alma; and 
Erma. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are members of 



ings manifest an interest in his client's afifairs as 



as in hi^ own profit. 



DAVID F. BARNES, of New Castle, who 
occupies a prominent place among the retail 
grocers of that city, was born in Lawrence Co., 
Pa., Oct. 28, 1848, and is a son of Henry and 
Martha (Van Kirk) Barnes. Henry Barnes. Sr., 
our subject's grandfather, was a native of Phila- 
delphia, and although born and reared in the the Disciples Church 




GEORGE JOHNSON BOYD, K. D. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



191 



GEORGE JOHNSON BOYD, M. D., whose 
likeness on the opposite page presents tlic un- 
mistakable features of refinement and high order 
of intellectuality, is one of Ellwood City's prom- 
inent physicians. A medical man of no small 
ability or culture, he has been markedly suc- 
cessful in the practice of his profession, and has 
won the confidence and esteem of the public by 
his care and courteous kindness, no less than 
by his energy and industry He stands high 
among the members of the medical fraternity, 
and is highly respected as a man of enterprise, 
who thoroughly understands his work, and 
rarely loses a case. He was born in Black Hawk, 
Beaver Co., and was a son of the late Dr. 
Thomas G. Boyd, a grandson of Joseph Boyd, 
and a great-grandson of John Boyd 

John Boyd lived near Londonderry, Ireland; 
when he determined to come to America, he 
settled his aflfairs, and with his wife, Mary Ful- 
ton, and two children was about to embark in 
a sailing vessel with his wife's relatives for the 
New World, when it was discovered that there 
were several cases of small-pox on board the 
slii]). This had the effect of delaying their de- 
])arturc three nxinths imtil the next trip. The 
first vessel lost all the cliililnn on board and 
many of the adults by small-i)Ox; as if this was 
not enough, the vessel foundered and did not 
reach port as soon as did the one on which the 
Boyds took passage. John Boyd settled in Alle- 
gheny Co., Pa., where he engaged in farming. 
His family showed unparalleled devotion to the 
Presbyterian Church, as four sons were minis- 
ters of that faith, three sons were elders in 
churches, and two daughters married Presby- 
terian elders. 



Joseph Boyd, who was born in Allegheny 
County, emigrated to Marion County, Ohio, 
where he built the first hewed log-house in tlie 
county. He determined to have a "raising," 
and invited the neiglibors, who responded in 
person, as there was always a frolic when the 
timbers of a building were raised, and wJiiskey 
was wont to flow freely. ( )n that occasion, 
however, the exception proved to be the rule, 
for Mr Boyd set his foot down on having any 
liquor dispensed, and the men waited about un- 
til nine o'clock before yielding. When they did 
set to work, it was with a will, and the raismg 
was finished by four o'clock, and that without 
an accident, something very rare in those days. 
This freedom from accident most likely was due 
to the absence of S|)irituous li(|uors to befuddle 
the brains and unsteady the nerves. Mr. Boyd 
always remained a farmer, and came to own a 
great deal of land. He was a sufiferer from con- 
-sumption, and his life was cut short at the age 
of fifty-six; Mrs. Boyd, who was Jane Glass be- 
fore her marriage, died at seventy-two years of 
age. Their descendants of the next geiieration 
were: James, John, Robert G., Thomas G., 
.Mary, and Gen. Joseph F., who was one of the 
one hundred and nine ])ris()ners of war who es- 
caped from I.ibby Prison. < )f the above family. 
Robert G. and Joseph !•". are the sole smviving 
members. 

Dr. Thomas G. Boyd, the father of our sub- 
ject, was a graduate of the Cleveland .Mc(lical 
College, and practiced two years in breeilom, 
Pa., after which he settled in Black Hawk. Pa., 
where he carried on the practice of his profes- 
sion for thirty-seven years, and became a lead- 
ing figure of Beaver County. He w>i onl_\ had 



192 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA IVRENCE COUNTY. 

a lucrative practice, but also won the admiration Dr. Boyd married, Nov. 28, 1889, Jessie D. 

and highest respect of his patients. His wife l-'itz-Randolph, daughter of Jonathan and 

was Jane H. JefTrey, daughter of Alexander Jef- Rebecca Fitz-Randolph of Achor, Ohio. Three 

frev. Dr. Boyd died at the age of sixty-four children have come to the household, but Wilda 

friim a fatal stroke of apoplexy. The following Fern was called home when sixteen months old, 

children were born to them: Joseph A., assist- and Helen Mae made a brief stay of five short 

ant general passenger agent of the Louisville & months on earth. Jessie, who was born in 

Nashville R. R.; Thomas H., real estate and Esther, Pa., on June 12, 1894, is a dear little 

insurance, AIcKeesport, Pa.; Addison, who died girl, and the delight of her parents. Dr. Boyd 

at the age of six; Dr. George J.; Ida J., who be- is a Republican of no uncertain or wavering 

came the wife of D. C. Kirke of Leetsdale, Pa. type, and as a representative citizen has been 

Dr. George J. Boyd studied in his father's lionored with office as a memljer of the city 

office, and took a medical course in Michigan council, and also as a member of the board of 

University at Ann Arbor, where he graduated health. He belongs to Ellwood Lodge, No. 

in 1889; while a student in college he became 599, F. & A. M., and holds a membership in the 

a brother of the Greek Letter Fraternity, Alpha K. O. T. M. 
Tan Omega. His father passed away when our 

subject was still pursuing his collegiate studies, "" * ^ ' "" 

so that on his return home, he immediately suc- 
ceeded to his lather's well-established practice. GEORGE HUNT, deceased. The subject of 
He remained in Black Hawk two years, and this brief history was a prominent and well-to- 
then removed to Esther, also in Beaver County, do farmer of Neshannock township, of which 
three and one-half miles distant, and in 1894 he was a native. He was born Nov. 30, 1833. 
came to Ellwood City. In this favorable local- on his fatlier's homestead, where he lived all of 
ity, he began building up a practice, and by his his life, extensively engaged in Iniying and sell- 
constant attention and eminent medical ability, ing cattle, horses, and sheep in the Pittsburg 
he has fairly succeeded, and has a large scope of and Philadelphia markets; the farm was known 
territory in town and country. He has dealt to as the Chappel Stock Farm. He was a man of 
a considerable extent in real estate, buying a more than ordinary ability, prudence and indus- 
number of years ago twenty-seven lots in Hazel try, and at his death left his widow and children 
Dell, which he later disposed of and bought the in very comfortal:)le circumstances. He was a 
C. F. Buchanan block of Lawrence Avenue; Democrat in his political convictions, and held 
this block, 22x60 feet on the ground, is two the township offices of school director, overseer 
stories high, and was one of the first business of the poor, and tax collector. He was a prom- 
blocks built in Ellwood City. On the first floor inent member of the religious circles of the M. 
is a store and offices, and the second floor is E. Church, and for a period of twenty years held 
utilized bv the Doctor as living rooms. the responsible position of class-leader; for his 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 11*3 

valuable services in upbuilding the local church acres of the farm were cleared, and many months 
and other similar work for the moral and spirit- of hanl, incessant toil were necessary before the 
ual welfare of his community he was granted a farm reached the state of excellence he so nnich 
certificate, May 31, 1865, which entitled him to desired, and which was his aim to attain, lie 
a life membership in the Pennsylvania Bible So- erected a lirick house, one of the first of its kind 
ciety. Devout and exemplary in his Christian to be built in that vicinity, out of brick he inaiui- 
life, he was one that was highly esteemed by all factured on his own farm. All of his life was 
who had the good fortune to acquire an intimate spent in agricultural (nirsuits, and how well he 
acquaintance with him. succeeded is open history to all the older resi- 
His grandfather, also named George Hunt, dents of the township who remember him. He 
was a native of Ireland, and a farmer by occupa- was pronounced in his views on political ques- 
tion; he came to the L'nited States in 1795, and tions, adhering to the Jeffersonian principles of 
settled in Beaver County, where he purchased a the Democratic party, but he never aspired to 
farm, and cared for it the remainder of his life, political fame or office, seeming content to do 
Like most of his countrymen, who have taken what he could in a simple, unostentatious man- 
up a residence in this country, he was a hard ner to bring about reforms or to advance some 
and indefatigable worker, and labored with the needed improvement. He was never known to 
utmost zeal to improve the splendid opportun- sue a man, nor was he ever engaged in a law 
ity afforded in a new land, and was very success- suit. In 1830, he married Louisiana Newkirk, 
ful in his et?orts. He was twice married. His daughter of Henry Xewkirk, a resident of Bea- 
second wife, whose maiden name was Jane Mc- ver Co., I'a.; she was born in Hartford, Ohio, in 
P'etridge, also a native of Ireland, bore him the 181 2. Their Iiome was blessed with the birth of 
following children, namely: Mary ; Jane; Sarah; six children; Rebecca J., born Oct. 31, 1831, 
William; John; and Elizabeth. They were married Alexan<ler Green of Xeshannock town- 
Methotlists in religious belief. They passed ship (see biography of Alexander Green in this 
away in peace, Mr. Hunt dying Dec. 29, 1825, volume); George, the subject of this sketch; 
aged seventy years, and his wife, in 1843, ag<?<l luneline, born in October, 1836. who married 
eighty years, and their works follows them in George P. Graham of Xeshannock township, 
the worthy lives of their descendants. and has a family of four bright children — Will- 
William Hunt, the father of our subject, was iani, Ella, Peter, and May; Henry, born April 4, 
born June 21, 1 801, in Beaver Co., Pa., where he 1840, married Emeline Smith of Xeshannock 
lived until after his marriage, moving then to township, and they have three children — Scott, 
X^eshannock township, tlien a part of Mercer Louisiana, and Mary; Jasper X., born in Feb- 
County. 1nit now included in Lawrence County, ruarv, 1851, married Amanda Frazier of Mercer 
in 1832, and settled on the farm, which is now Co., 111., and they have two children, Jasper and 
the home of his wife, who survives him, and of his Amanda F. ; and William L., born Aug. 22, 
son George's widow. At that time, but fifteen 1845, ^^^'^ ^t seven years of age. They were 



194 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



prominent in the local Methodist Cluirch. (Jur 
subject's father died Aug. 6, 1851, but he is sur- 
vived by his widow, who lives on the paternal 
estate. 

L)n Fell. 11, 1867. the nuptials of (jeorge 
Hunt and Anna M. lirown. daughter of William 
and Letsa Brown of Carlisle, Pa., were consum- 
mated, and their union has resulted in the birth 
of three children: Letsa M., deceased; George 
L., deceased; and William B., who married Nel- 
lie K. Mac(iavin of Lowellville, Ohio. 



CLINTON E. SANKEY, cashier of the W. 
N. Y. & r. R. R. at New Castle, and a represen- 
tative of one of the first families of the county 
and citv, residing on the old family homestead, 
No. 155 West Washington Street, New Castle, 
was born in the house in which he lives, April 
17, 1867. He was reared in his native place, and 
his common school education was followed up 
with a one years course at the (jeneva College 
of Beaver l'"alls. Pa. Upon completing his edu- 
cation at the latter institution, at the age of nine- 
teen, he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania 
R. R. in the warehouse, and within six months 
was promoted to a clerkship, which he filled for 
some five years. After resigning his clerkship, 
he went into business with Mr Martpiis, under 
the firm name of Marquis & Sankey, but the 
partnersliip was only continued six months, for 
Mr. Sankey became dissatisfied, and sold out to 
his partner to accept the position of traveling 
salesman for C. J. Kirk, a dealer in hardware, 
in whose employ he continued aliout one year. 



( )n liis return from a pleasure trip to Denver, 
he again accepted a position with the Pennsyl- 
vania R. R. as transfer agent at Lawrence Junc- 
tion, and remained with the company two years, 
when he became, in August, 1895, cashier for 
the W. N. Y. & P. R. R., a position he is now 
filling efficiently in his wide-awake, energetic 
manner. Mr. Sankey was married in Wheeling, 
West \'irginia, I'eb. 17, 1893, to Mrs. Tillie 
Wiggins, daughter of Samuel Smith. Mr. San- 
key is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
while his wife unites with the liaptist Church. 
In politics, he is a Rei)ul_)lican, and has served 
three years as councilman and also as director 
of schools in West New Castle. Socially, he is 
a member of the following organizations: Im- 
proved Order Red Men, Erie Tribe, No. 252; 
Fidelis Lodge, No. 460, Knights of Pythias; and 
Uniformed Rank, No. 36. 

The first member of the Sankey family to be- 
come a resident of Lawrence County, was 
Major Ezekiel .Sankey. .Sr., a native of Lewis- 
ton, Mifflin Co., Pa., where he was born in the 
year 1772. The ancestors were of English stock, 
emigrating fnim Warrington, Lancashire Co., 
to America in early colonial times, and settling 
in the l\ishaco(|uillas \'alley in Mifflin County. 
The father dying in I7';4, Ezekiel an<l his 
mother, executors of the father's will, soon after 
moved to Center County, to a place called Pot- 
ter's Mills, wliere they resided a short time be- 
fore going to the Chartiers \'alley in Washing- 
ton County, where Ezekiel bought a farm, and 
resided until 1800, at which time he changed his 
residence to Mercer County, wdiere he settled at 
the mouth of a stream, now known as Sankey's 
Run. within the present limits of Union town- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUXTY. 



lit.-) 



sliip, and he was undoubtedly the first white set- 
tler within the present boundaries of that town- 
ship. Ezekiel Sankey, Sr, was the first sheriff 
elected by the people of Mercer County, William 
I'yers having^ served by appointment in 1803. 
He was major of one of the Pennsylvania mili- 
tia regiments during the period' of the War of 
1812. and was one of two from the whole regi- 
ment who would volunteer to go outside of the 
State and serve. Major Sankey and William 
Sheriff proceeded to the front, where our sub- 
ject's grandfather was appointeil to a position 
in the commissary department of Gen. Cook's 
Brigade, which was organized at I'itlshurg. 
ji)iniiig this organization at Mansfield, Ohio, 
they proceeded as far west as the Rapids of the 
Maumee River, w'here Fort Meigs was afterward 
located. Remaining at that point through the 
winter of 181 J- 13, he returned home in the fol- 
lowing spring, but was taken sick at Mercer 
from the effects of cold and exposure, and was 
brought home from there, but lingered hut a 
few months, dying July 13, 1813. He married 
Jane Cubbison, who was born in County 
Downs. Ireland, in December, 1767. Mr. San- 
key was a member of the L'nited Presbyterian 
Cluucli. 

t)f a family of six sons and three daughters, 
born to the foregoing, Ezekiel Sankey was the 
seventh in order of birth. He was born on the 
family farm at Western Reserve Basin in Union 
township, Oct. 3, 1807, and was but six years 
of age at his father's death, witli a brotiier and 
sister still younger. With a family of small chil- 
dren, dependent upon her efforts, Mrs. Sankey 
could give them but meager educational advan- 
tages, and how little education they did accjuire 



we will leave to the reader's imagination, with 
the remark that the very l>est tliat cmild be ob- 
tained in this section of the countrv then would 
be considered very poor to-day. Most of his life 
was spent on the farm until he was nineteen 
years of age, when he learned the shoemaker's 
trade, and followed it five years. He then drove 
stock a few years for a leading drover of New- 
Castle, at last carrying on the business on his 
own responsibility, driving his stock across the 
mountains to the terminus of the nearest rail- 
road, and shipping them from there by rail to 
Philadelphia. He was also engaged for a time 
in boating between New Castle and Beaver, 
commanding the Alpha, which was the first boat 
to make the trip between the two cities. In 
1835, he built the first warehouse in Xew Cas- 
tle, and in the same year was elected major of a 
volunteer battalion of Mercer County militia, 
and held his commission for seven years. I'or 
a long period, Mr. Sankey was engaged in rail- 
road building, executing important contracts 
with the X. Y. & E. R. R., Pennsylvania R. R.. 
the B. & O. R. R., and the Sandusky and Bea- 
ver Canal in Ohio. He was a ])ri)minent pro- 
moter of the Pittsburg & Erie R. R., and for the 
rest of his life was enii^loyed in some capacity on 
the railroads of Western Pennsylvania. He was 
at times engaged in mercantile pursuits in New- 
castle, and for a time was the proprietor of the 
old Mansion House, that once stood on tlie 
southwest corner of Mercer and Washiiigtf)n 
Streets, the present location of the Leslie House. 
In the early records of New- Castle, during the 
prime of his life, there is no name that stands 
out so prominent as an interested party in every 
enterprise that was for the progress, upbuilding 



190 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



and future development of his favorite city. 
Financial and political plans, as well as social 
and charitable, all claimed a part of his time and 
attention, and to every worthy project he gave 
liberally of his means. In 1838, he was instru- 
mental in establishing the New Castle b'emale 
.Seminary. It was thrnugh his influence to a 
large degree that Lawrence County was organ- 
ized in 1849. His efforts and labors with mem- 
bers of the Legislature in securing the passage 
of the bill which would set off part of Beaver 
and Mercer Counties and form territory to be 
organized as a new county, were in the face of 
the strongest opposition, and proved that in the 
Legislative lobby he was no mean advocate; this 
convincing, winning power that he possessed 
was brought into use many times during the 
rest of his long and singidarly active career. 
Among the many measures secured mainly by 
his efforts were the bills to incorporate the New 
Castle Gas Light Co., the New Castle Opera 
House Co., and the l^>ank of New Castle, in all 
of which companies he was a heavy stockholder. 
During tiie war he w'as active in the engineering 
department, gladly giving his services wherever 
he could. 15eing past the age limit for enlist- 
ment, he employed his energies in repairing rail- 
roads destroyed by the Confederates, and in de- 
stroying railroads over which the rebels received 
supplies. His talents and energies in this line 
won for him merited distincti(_in. He was a man 
of remarkably fine and connnanding appearance 
— one of nature's noblemen, born to lead in the 
battles of life, and to be the instniment of much 
practical good. 

His first marriage occurred Feb. 9, 1832, with 
Sarah S. Jones, daughter of Isaac O. Jones of 



New Castle, and of this union ten children were 
born to him, as follows: Minerva S.; Charles C; 
Eben li.; Laura E., who married William Mc- 
Donald; Rebecca E., who married Thomas H. 
Falls; Henry C; Jan.ies P.; William J.; and 
Lawrence and Kate, twins. On Oct. 15, 1862, 
after the death of his first wife, he married 
Rhoda Ann, widow of Bethuel Beeman of 
Youngstown, ( )hio, daughter of Jacob Powers 
of Trumbull Co., Ohio. This second union re- 
sulted in the birth of two children: Jacob Pow- 
ers of Cleveland, Ohio, and Clinton E., our 
subject. 



THOMAS J. McCLEARY, editor and pro- 
prietor of the New Castle Democrat, was born 
in New Castle, Jan. 23, 1844, and is a son of 
Thomas McCleary, and a grandson of Samuel 
McCleary, who was born in the north of Ireland, 
and came to this countr)- when a boy. He set- 
tled in Lawrence County, and became a large 
land-owner — his property being located just 
across the Shenango River from what is now 
New Castle, and which is now the site of West 
New Castle. He was one of the first merchants 
of Lawrence County, and was engaged in mer- 
cantile business at the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1844, when he was aged fifty-eight 
years. He married Nancy Gordon, whose par- 
ents were born in Ireland, 1)ut \\\\o, herself, was 
born on board ship in the midst of the Atlantic 
Ocean, when many days from land ; she died in 
1864, when sixty-five years of age. They reared 
the following children: William, deceased; 
Thomas, deceased; Jane (Moorhead), deceased; 




MR. AND MRS. rr, ini- ; rtiiifLLL'i. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 199 

Eliza (Spiese); Saimicl, deceased; James, dc- liis trade. After returning to New Castle, lie 
ceased; John N., deceased; Joseph \\".; Amanda went to Texas in 1875, where he remained until 
(Paisley), deceased; Eben Scott; and Leander, 1881, when he again returned to Xew Castle, and 
deceased. bought William (jordon's interest in the Demo- 
Thomas McCleary was born in Xew Castle, crat; in 1883 he secured entire control of the 
and there grew up to manhood, obtaining his paper and plant by purchasing the interest of his 
education in the pul)lic schools. When a young ])artner, G. W. Penn, and since that time has 
man lie embarked in the grocery business in his been sole owner and editor. The Xew Castle 
native town, and was thus identified with its Democrat is a weekly paper devoted to the best 
commercial life for thirty-five years, and after interests of Lawrence County. '\\r. McCleary 
retiring from the grocery business was engaged also engages in job printing work in connection 
in representing insurance companies a number with his newspaper business, 
of years. His death took place in 1889. at whicli Mr. McCleary married Ella C. Lynn of Al- 
time he had attained an age of seventy-five toona. Pa.: she died at the age of thirty-eight 
years. He was a l^emocrat and always interested and left one son. Paul. His second matrimonial 
and active in jiarty matters, and eager to en- union was with Miss Lillian O'Donnell of .\lle- 
gage in political discussions. Ixeligiously, he glieny. 
favored the Presb\tcrian Church. He married 

Rhoda Galbreatli, daughter of Judge Ephraiiu " ^^-^^ 
t ialbreath of lllair Coiuilx, I'a.; she died in 1855. 

leaving live cliildren. as follows: .'^aniuel: PETER S. REYXOLi:)?. This Ik mored citi- 

Amanda C. : Calvert: Thomas J., our subject: zen of Xeshannock township, where he is suc- 

Joseph R.; and Charles (i. He married for his cessfully engaged in fariuing. is a native of the 

second wife Mrs. Mary PVamptoii, who died same, and is a son of William E. and Margaret 

in 1887. (Gundy) Reynolds, and grandson of Robert 

Thomas J. McCleary received his education in Reynolds, of Irish descent, who came to this 

the schools of X^ew Castle, and at the age of four- country from England about the year 

teen commenced his apprenticeship as a printer 1775. and settled in the eastern part of Pennsyl- 

under E. S. Durban, and was aftcrwanis in his vania. Later he moved to Hickory township, 

employ as a journeyman printer. Tn t86i, he then a part of Xeshannock, took up a farm, and 

enlisted in the 88th Reg. C)hio \\A., Inf., Co. D, was industriously engaged in its cultivation the 

and after serving the period of his enlistment he remaining active years of his life. leaving at his 

returned to Xew Castle, and went into the gro- death as a legacy to his descendants a well-im- 

cery business with his father, remaining with proved farm ranking among the best in the 

him three years. He then went to Xew York township and a noble name, untarnished with 

City, where he spent six months, and from there any suspicion of dishonesty or wrong-doing. He 

to San Eranci.sco, where he worked for a time at was a Democrat in his politics, and consistently 



200 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COi'XTY. 



upheld his chosen party. To him and his wife 
were bom twelve children, namely: WiUiam 
F.: John F. : Betsey: Xancy; Mary A.; Peter 
and Joseph, twins: Michael: Christian: Isaac: 
Robert; and James. The family were governed 
in reUgious matters by the rules of life as found 
in the teachings of the M. E. Church. 

WilHam F.. the father of our subject, received 
his education in Xeshannock township, and fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits after coming to man's 
estate in that township all his life. At a later 
period in his Hfe, he found time to operate with 
a fair degree of success a grist and saw-mill for 
the accommodation of his neighbors, among 
whom he was known as a leading and progres- 
sive citizen. His wife, who was born in Pulaski 
township, made him the proud parent of eleven 
children, namely : Robert: Sarah: John: Eliza- 
beth : William : James : Peter S. : Cossitt : George : 
Mary: Seth. A Methodist, like his father, he 
trained his children in the same faith. He was 
a prominent and popular man. as well as suc- 
cessful, and as a Republican filled the township 
offices of squire, supervisor and tax collector. 
His death took place Oct. i8. 1876, following 
that of his beloved wife's by ten years, she hav- 
ing died Feb. 15, 1866. 

Our subject from the first years of manhood 
devoted the most of his attention to agricultural 
pursuits, although he also learned the stone- 
mason's and carpenter's trades, and built a num- 
ber of residences, among which is the house in 
which he now makes his home. He enjoys in a 
large degree the confidence and respect of his 
neighbors and the community at large. He is a 
Republican, and has 5er\-ed efficiently as school 
director, overseer of the poor and as super\-isor. 



He is not by any means an '"offensive partisan," 
but a genial and whole-souled citizen, and a gen- 
eral favorite among his townsmen. 

In 1865, Jan. 25, ^Ir. Reynolds was joined in 
marriage with Lydia A. Kemp, daughter of John 
P. Kemp, deceased, of Xeshannock township, 
whose biography appears 'elsewhere in this vol- 
ume. Eight children have been born to our sub- 
ject and wife as follows: William J., who mar- 
ried Louisa Bludorn. and has eight children, 
Bessie and Jessie, twins, Xettie, Xestor and 
Chester, twins. Amelia. Forbes, and Lydia; X'et- 
tie. who married George M. ShoafT and has 
borne him four children, Paul, ^label. Hazel, 
and Merrill: Forbes; Alice; Joseph B.; and Es- 
ther A. Those deceased are Delia and Xelhe. 
The family are members of the M. E. Church. 

The companion portraits of Peter S. Reynolds 
and his wife Lydia. that appear on a preceding 
page, add a decided interest to the accompany- 
ing sketch. 



J.\MES J. MEXICE is a contractor of Ell- 
wood City, who is chiefly interested in heavy ma- 
sonr\- work. He was born in Philadelphia, Oct. 
7, 1852, and comes of good Irish stock, his father, 
James INIenice, having been born in Coimty 
Cavin, Ireland. The elder Menice came to Am- 
erica when a young man, and. settling near the 
city of Philadelphia, worked in the mills until 
his untimely decease at the age of forty. The 
whole duty of caring and pro\"iding for the five 
fatherless children thus fell on the widow, who 
proved unequal to the heavy task, and followed 
her husband on his pilgrimage to an unknown 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWREXCE COLWTY 



2"1 



countn-, passing away when James J., our sub- 
ject, was a babe of six weeks. The four older 
children were John. Thomas. Harry, and Cassie. 

Our subject being left an orphan at such a 
tender age was reared and educated in St. John's 
Catholic School of Philadelphia, Pa. Starting 
out for himself, one of his first business enter- 
prises was taking the contract to build the road- 
bed and abutments of the East Broadtop and 
Bloody Run R. R. in Huntingdon Co.. Pa. 
Then for some time he was engaged in operating 
sandstone quarries in Beaver County at Wal- 
lace's Run. In 1890. Mr. Menice came to Ell- 
wood City as the foreman of the Pittsburg Co.. 
his duties pertaining to the laying out and grad- 
ing of the streets and walks, putting in water 
pipes, and pro\nding the necessary facilities for 
the drainage of the city and for the disf)osal of 
the sewage. At the present time. Mr. Menice 
has charge of almost all of that line of work for 
the company, and in addition has many other 
interests. His residence at Xo. 534 Fifth Street, 
was built in 1891. Mr. Menice operated the Ell- 
wood City Stone Quarry for three years, and 
during that period he laid the foundations and 
furnished the material for almost all of the Pitts- 
burg Co.'s houses, the tin plate manufacton.-, 
two glass factories, and a foundn.. The finest 
piece of work that he has executed and which 
has given him a wide reputation is the abutment 
of the South Street bridge in Warren, Ohio, 
which was completed in 1895. 

Mr. Menice was bound by marriage ties to 
Ellen Shields of Ellwood City, and to them eight 
children have been bom: James, Catherine, 
Ellen. Harry, John P.. Mars- Ellwood, now de- 
mised, who was the first child bom in Ellwood 



City, Powell F., and William J. </>ur subject 
holds to Democratic principles in political 
affairs, and was a member of the first city coun- 
cil of Ellwood City. ser\-ing as chairman of the 
committee on streets and sidewalks. He carries 
his conscience into politics as w ell as into his daily 
transactions, and his energy, probity and shrewd- 
ness have won him the respect and esteem of all 
his fellow-citizens. Being a man of enterprise 
he has always evinced a titting interest in the 
welfare of the place of his present residence. He 
has held \-arious responsible positions in the 
Catholic Church, where he is highly thought of 
as a true son, and he is a member of the A. O. 
H. B. 



DA\TD P. COOPER, a retired farmer who 
lives at Xo. 165 Xonh Jefferson Street. Xew 
Castle. Pa., is the son of James Cooper and 
grandson of Robert Cooper, who was bom in 
County Down. Ireland, and came to America 
about 1790. He married his wife on his native 
soil, and four children were bom to them there 
and five after their settling in this country. Their 
names are as follows: William: Roben: John: 
Richard: James: Joseph: Peggie: Margaret: and 
Elizabeth. Our subject's grandfather was a 
weaver by trade, but after coming to this coun- 
try, and locating near Philadelphia, he did not 
follow his aforetime trade, but took up agricul- 
tural pursuits; after a stay of four years at the 
above-mentione<.l place, he moved to Washing- 
ton Co.. Pa., where he remained one year, going 
from there to Alleghenv Co.. Pa., where he fol- 



202 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

lowed agricultural pursuits tlie rcuiainder of his his gun, for he thought that the animals had 

natural life. plenty to do in drawing the carts and supplies. 

His son, Tames Cooper, was born in Alle Upon his arrival in the El Dorado of his hopes, 

gheny Co., Pa., in 1796, and in 184,^ moved to he found the country to be very uncivilized, at 

Lawrence Countv, where he secured a farm and least when compared to the life and conditions 

identified himself with the agricultural interests to which he had been accustomed, and to hang 

of the town and county, departing this life in a man was of daily occurrence. One thrilling 

1 861. His wife, Elizabeth McLister, who died at incident, which goes far to show how very rude 

the age of seventv-six, bore him seven children, and even dangerous were the conditions of life 

four girls and three boys. there, and which has served as the theme of a 

David P. Cooper was born in Finley town- truthful story, was related to us in substance by 
ship, Alleghenv County, July 4. 1830. He came IMr. Cooper as follows: Some seventy-five miles 
with his parents when they moved to Lawrence from Virginia City was a village. Banic, which 
County, and started in life for himself at the age was reached by stage running at regular inter- 
of fourteen as a driver on the canal, receiving vals. Between the two places was a canon, 
promcitidu until he was captain of the packet, where it became a fre(|uent occurrence for the 
After sa\-ing up a comfortable sum of money he stage-coach to be held uji, and the passengers 
took to traveling, and when onh- twenty-one relieved of their valuables at the muzzle of loaded 
vears old had been in twenty-two .States and guns. ( )ne day. a merchant of Virginia City, 
three territories, and had seen an mnisual desiring lo transact some matter of business in 
amount of the world for one so voung. \\niile this neighboring village, became a [jassenger on 
he was ori the canal, he was a jiopular and fa- this local stage line: when the coach approached 
miliar figure, and it is stated that he knew every the dismal s])Ot. tlie scene of manv highwav rob- 
person in New Castle, and was well ac(|uainted bcrics. sure enough they were held up in true 
with residents along the canal and with the Western fashion, and asked to "shell out" what- 
traveling public. The ])eriod between 18O0 and ever they had with them in the shape of watches. 
1862 he was touched with the oil craze ami jewelry, and monev. which vou mav be sure was 
speculation, and was employed in drilling many acceded to very promptlv, accentuated as the 
wells in Pennsylvania and in Canada. Tn 1864, request was bv the shining barrels of some half 
when the Idaho gold mines were f)pcned up a.nd dozen guns leveled at them. When the destina- 
golden possibilities of the future rose up before tion was reached, the merchant approached the 
those who were of sanguine temperament, ^Ir. sheriff ,^f the county to secure assistance in the 
Coo]ier started for that territory to realize sud- recovering of his lost articles, and was some- 
den wealth if possible, leaving .St. Joseph. Mo.. what surprised to meet with a curt refusal to aid 
May 5, 1864, ^n<l reaching \'irginia Cit\-. Idaho, in anything of that sort, the officer claiming he 
Aug. 27, 1864, traveling with three i>air of oxen. had no control over such men! As the merchant 
( )ur sul)ject walked the entire distance, carrying desired to take home with him quite a sum of 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 203 

!iK)iH'\-, he explained to the sheriff what he hkcwise — seven meeting death in the sheriff's 

wished to do and asked for a guard to pilot him own village and more than twenty in \irginia 

home and help him to protect his money from City. If there were any of the gang left, they 

the highwaymen. The sheriff refused to even must have thought that other places wore a more 

consider this, and the merchant was about ready inviting appearance and cleared out, for no 

to give up the idea of taking anything of value more troulile was experienced with them, and 

with him, when he found a man in search of the entire territors made better bv the riddance 

work, and after a few moments conversation, of a dreaded class of people bv the somewhat 

arrangements were completed for the man to ac- rash and foolhardy act of the merchant in brav- 

company him back to the city ; he also explained ing death by resisting them, 

the danger to him, and they provided arms for Alter Mr. Cooper spent three years in the wild 

their defense. They started towards home, and west, he returned to his native State, married and 

when they reached the canon, the driver was settled down on a farm just outside the citv lim- 

commanded to hold up his hands by the desper- its of New Castle. A farm was bought by him 

adoes, and when the stage came to a standstill, and his brother, which was later developed into 

the door was opened by one of them, who to his a large limestone quarry; they derived a com- 

great surprise found a rifle aimed directly at him fortable income from leasing the property, for 

ready for action. He was forced back, and they they did not care to cjuarry themselves. Our 

journeyed home with no farther molestation, subject married Annie Casey. In 1890, he built 

The merchant studied over the refusal and in- a comfortable residence in the city on North 

different actions of the sheriff, and the more Jefferson Street, and has lived there since, 
consideration he gave to the vexed question the 

more certain was he that the sheriff knew more « *.^-. >. 

about the gang of desperadoes than he cared to 

admit, and this growing susjjicion of the sheriff THOMAS ALI.F.X. .Among the maiiv con- 
pnimpted him to call together the first business tractors and builders of New Castle, our sub- 
men of Mrginia City and explain to them the ject stands pre-eminent because of his large ac- 
circumstances, and give them the result of his quaintance with the work, and also because of 
conclusions. They at once resolved themselves the many large and elegant structures he has 
into a vigilance committee, formed an armed erected which rank among the first buildings of 
body of men, went Ijack to the sheriff's home, of the city and are the pride (jf its citizens. Mr. 
surrounded his ])lace. and searched the premises. Allen was born in Robin.snn township, now 
In his keejiing was found certain and indisjiut- Stow. .Allegheny Co., Pa.. March 13, 1821). and 
able proof of an organized gang for the system- is a .son of William and Rebecca (Day) .Allen, 
atic robbing of the people of the two places. No both natives of the Keystone State. 
mercy was shown. The sheriff was hanged and John Allen, our subject's grandfather, was a 
his associates in crime hunteil down and treated native of Countv Down, Ireland: when he 



204 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



crossed the Atlantic with his family, he came to 
the State of Pennsylvania, like many others of 
his countrymen, and settled in the vicinity of 
Pittsburg, where he purchased a farm, and re- 
mained a few years engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. The latter part of his life was spent in the 
same pursuits in St. Clair township, and f(;ir those 
days he was considered a very well-to-do man. 
He married Jennie McGee. also a native of Ire- 
land, and to them were horn the following chil- 
dren, seven in number: John; Thomas; Will- 
iam, our subject's father; Alexander; Mary; 
Margaret; and Jane. They were Presbyterians. 

William Allen was educated in the schools of 
-St. Clair township, and, like his father, followed 
agricultural pursuits to very good advantage, be- 
coming a prosperous citizen of the cornmunity 
in which he lived and very highly respected for 
his many sterling qualities. In his political views, 
he adhered to the doctrines of the Democratic 
party, but never cared to enter the field of poli- 
tics, and contest for public office. He married 
Rebecca Day, a daughter of Jacob Day of St. 
Clair township, and gathered about him the fol- 
lowing family; Jacob, who married Adaline 
Mclntire of Lancaster Co., Pa.; John; Jane; 
Rebecca, who married Bernard Ingles; Mar- 
garet, who married George Blazier of Stow 
township; Thomas, our subject; and Susan, who 
married Thomas Hughes of Allegheny, Pa. 
They favored the Presbyterian Church. Our 
subject's father died about TS37, aged forty 
years; his wife survived him many years, finally 
departing this life to join those gathered on the 
other shore in 1873, when aged eighty years. 

Our subject was educated in the schools of his 
native town, and then learned the carpenter's 



and joiner's trade, serving an apprenticeship <.)f 
three years under Charles Campbell of Allegheny 
Citv, Pa. He then accepted a position on one 
of the Mississippi River steamers, plying be- 
tween St. Louis and New Orleans and continued 
in that connection eight years. He then went 
to Allegheny City, where he l)uilt several coal 
barges, which during the war were sold to the 
L^nited States Government to use as transports. 
In 1867, he came to Lawrence County, settling 
at first in Mahoningtown, Taylor township, but 
two years later moving to New Castle, where 
he has been very extensively engaged since in 
contracting and building. He is known as an 
honest and conscientious workman, and he has 
the reputation of allowing none but the best 
labor and materials to enter into the construc- 
tion of the various buildings which he contracts 
to build; he has built some of the finest struc- 
tures now standing in the city of New Castle, 
among which are the residences of William Pat- 
terson, president of the Lawrence County Bank, 
and J. A. Crawford, Allen's Opera House, the 
Y. M. C. .\. Building, and the First Presbyterian 
Church of New Castle, which is the largest and 
finest structure of its kind in Western Pennsyl- 
vania. The edifice is constructed of sandstone 
and fire-flashed buffed brick. Throughout his 
connection witli the building industry of New 
Castle, Mr. Allen has always received the hearty 
patronage of those who want good jobs by one 
w'ho will not allow his reputation in that line to 
diminish in the least. 

In 1862 Mr. Allen was joined in marriage with 
Elizabeth Simpson, daughter of John Simpson 
of Mahoningtown, Pa., and to our subject and 
his wife eicht children have been born; John 




JOSEPH W- McCLEARY. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



207 



W.; Eliza, who married William J- Rudesill of 
Los Angeles, Cal., and has one daughter, Eliza- 
beth; Jane, who married Howard I). Leslie of 
Mahoning^own, Pa., and has presented him with 
two children — Allen L. and Mary; Charles; Ru- 
fus; George; Ethel; and Mary, who died in her 
infancy. Politically, Mr. Allen is a stanch Re- 
publican, and was elected to the office of city- 
councilman, a position he held for six consecu- 
tive years. The family arc attendants of the 
Presbvterian Church. 



JOSEPH W. McCLEARY, a dealer in a f^ne 
quality of building sand, which is taken from a 
bank on his property, and a large real estate 
owner of New Castle, is the son of one of the 
town's founders. He was born in New Castle. 
Oct. I, 1825, and is a son of Samuel McCleary, 
and grandson of Thomas McCleary. 

Our subject's grandfather was born in County 
Down, Ireland, and came to this country with 
his family, living only three months after his ar- 
rival. He had settled in Mercer County, near 
Mercer, and there left two boys and three girls. 
One boy died in youth. The other, Samuel, who 
was born in the same place in Ireland as his 
father, came to New Castle, and about the year 
1810 purchased five hundred acres of wilderness, 
which is to-day West New Castle. He learned 
the stone-mason's trade, and worked at it a num- 
ber of years, and being a practical, saving body, 
and not afraid of work, he soon had enough cap- 
ital to go into business, and he accordingly built 
a house, where Allen's Rink is now, and kept a 



small store for some fourteen years, it being one 
of the very first stores in the town. He then 
began to clear his land, and to deal in live stock, 
buying cattle, and driving to Philadelphia, and 
to towns along the Delaware, where he disposed 
of them to good advantage. In 1832, he built a 
home near the Shenango Glass Works, and be- 
gan to sell ofif his property in lots for building. 
His death, which occurred in 1844 ^t the age of 
fifty-nine, was from dropsy of the bowels, which 
was undoubtedly brought on by hard work. His 
wife was Nancy Agnes Gordon. She died in 
1865 at the age of seventy-eight. They had 
twelve children, three of whom are now living. 
This is the record: William, deceased; Thomas, 
deceased: Jane, deceased; Eliza: Samuel, de- 
ceased; James, deceased: Newton, deceased; 
Joseph; Amanda, deceased: Nancy, deceased: 
Scott: and Leander, deceased. 

Our subject assisted his father in clearing the 
farm, and in attending to its culture, and upon 
his parent's death he inherited a tract of twenty- 
six acres, and farmed the homestead for his 
mother for eight years, when it was divided up. 
In 1854, Mr. McCleary built a house, which 
burned down in 1879; this he replaced with a 
handsome residence, which is a decided orna- 
ment to the street on which it is situated. He 
has sold many building lots, and now owns ten 
tenements, which are located on a part of the 
tract that came to him from his father. About 
the year 1857, he found on his land a fine quality 
of building sand, and since then has sold yearly 
about $1,000 worth. 

Our subject married, in 1853, Miss Margaret 
Workman of West Virginia. She has enjoyed 
with her husband the highest esteem of the citi- 



208 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

zens of New Castle, aiul their friends are tn he ty, where he lived in pioneer fashiun in a log- 
numbered by tlie score. They have had nine house constructed bv his own hands. He 
children, as fullows: Lawrence, who died at the worked hard and with indefatigable industry to 
age of four years: Amanda, who died when aged clear his land, and lived there until a few years 
three years; Wilfred \\'anacc, a car])enter by before his death in the fidl enjo\nient of a well- 
trade, who married Caroline K. Sicafew ; Laura earned repose after labor. He then S(jld this 
lives at home; Alary A. married L. L. Schafen- property, and retired to Sharpsvillc. where he 
ocher; Carrie A. married H. P. White; the three died at the age of sixty-three. Air. Keith was a 
younger children, Howard, Albert, and Maggie, believer in Republican theories of government 
are all }-oung and live at home. Air. AlcClcarv and held a munlier of the minor township offi- 
- is a Democrat, and lias served fifteen vears as a ces. He married a daughter of b"jhn Young, 
school director. His iiortrait appears on a ]>re- Susan by name, and she Ijore him these chil- 
ceding page. dren: John; Elizabeth; Jacob, who was slain 

while fighting on the I'nion side in the Second 



— «-..^*-. Rattle of Bull Run: Ik-njamin: Susan: Margaret 

and Alary, twins: Eva: Rebecca; and Alichael. 

r.ENJAATTN KEITH. The subject of this The mother of these children died at the age of 

narration, whose name a])i)ears altovc, holds a eighty-si.x. 

])roiuinent ]>osition among tlie citizens of Law- Tu early manhood, P>enjamin Keith engaged 

rence County. ;md is especiallv yiopular and well in tilling the soil, settling in Sharpsvillc, where 

thought of in his own township of Wa\-ne, and he built a home, and worked at teaming and 

in the ]ilace of his present residence and the heavy contracting until iSq-^. In that year Air. 

scene of manv of his labors, F.lhvood Citv. He Keith removed to ElKvood City, and assisted in 

was liorn Sept. 30, 1S35. in Spruce Creek town- the work of laying out and foun<ling the city, 

ship, I'dair Co., Pa., and he is a son of .Michael The ne.\t yiar lie became watchman at the tube 

and Susan (^'oung') Keitli, ,ind a gi'aiidsoii of \vorks, and since then has been engaged in ine- 

Alicliael Keith, .Sr., who was a ( lerniau b\ birth, chanical work. In iS<>3. Air. Keith built a hand- 

and a citizen of the I'nited States l)v ado])tion; some house at No. 515 (ilen Avenue, which he 

so far as is known he followed agricultural pur- disposed of in 1807. He is the owner of a tene- 

suits both in the old coiuitr\- and in America. nient house on Seventh Street, and Vane Ave- 

Michael Keith, the son, was born in Hunting- "ue. and a house in Hazel Dell, 

don C(j., Pa., where he learned and followed the Air. Keith married Airs. Alary A^oung, the 

trade of a tanner a few vears; he afterwards widow of the late David A'ouiig. Da\'id "N'ouug 

worked at charcoal making until he settled down was born in 1834, and served in the Civil War in 

to farming on a piece of propertv he purchased Co. E, 63d Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf.; wdiile risking his 

in P.lair County. About 1850, he bought a new life to a thousand dangers for the sake of his 

piece of land near Wilmington, Lawrence Coun- country, he contracted a severe cold, which 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



209 



caused his death in 1862. Besides his widow he lier energies to the work, and is assisting her 

had left one son, William Austin, who was born husband in the performance of his duties, and in 

Ian. 28, 1858, and died March 24, 1880, being l)eing all that a minister's wife should be. To 

paralyzed in the lower lind^s for three years be- return to the other children of our subject: Su- 

fore his death. I'or tiiese three years he was san, the next in order of birth, died when seven 

a patient and cheerful invalid, endearing him- years old; Jennie E., born Nov. 3, 1871, was 

self more and more to a wide circle of friends, as united in marriage with Henry T. Hall, an artis- 

he was a general favorite with young and old. tic designer and frescoer of Ellwood City, and 



His daily register shows 5,502 visits of friends 
during his first year's illness. Our subject's 
wife's parents were born in Westmoreland Co., 
Pa. Her father was a carpenter by trade, but 
became a pioneer farmer of Mercer County, 



they have four children: Carrie L., born April 
4, 1891; Clifford and Keith died in infancy: and 
Eben D., born May 6, i8y6. 

Mr. Keith adheres to Republican views polit- 
icall\-, and votes to uphold the principles of that 



where he bought an uncultivated plot of ground party w ith the convictions of a man who believes 
near New Wilmington, where he lived the rest he is right, and dares maintain it. He is a man 
of his years, and became a very popular citizen well known and highly esteemed throughout his 
and friend. He died at the age of sixty-two, fol- township and county for the many sterling quali- 
lowed soon after by his wife at the age of sixty- tics which shine as an example to the rising 
four, leaving this family: Elizabeth, Samuel, generation. In all his dealings he has been hon- 
Margarct, Jane, James A., Robert, Sarah A., est, upright, industrious, frugal and temperate, 
Ebenezcr, Mary and Harriet, all of whom grew and enjoys the esteem and respect, which are so 
to be men and women. justly his due. With his family he holds a mcni- 
Of the family <jf Benjamin Keith, his son Mi- bership in the lYesbylerian Church, where they 
chacl was born May 4, 1868. He attended the are all efficient and valued workers. 
Sharpsville High School, graduated, and con- 
tinued his studies in the higher institution of «-h.^*» 

Wilmington College, where he finished his 

course in 1891. A year before his graduation JOHN HARVEY DOUGLAS, residing at 

from the Theological Seminary at Allegheny. Xo. 156 Green Street, Xew Castle, and employed 

which he attended after leaving \N'iImington Col- by the P. & L. E. R. R., was born in -Sewickley 

lege, he was ordained a minister of the Presby- township, Allegheny Co., Pa., Oct. ig. 1852. He 

terian Church; he now has charge of the pastor- is a son of John and Eliza (Wilkins) Douglas, 

ate of that denomination in Princeton, Slippery the latter a native of Sewickley township, wlure 

Rock township, this county, and is doing a grand she was born about the year 1822. and a daugli- 

work for Christ and the Church. Rev. Mr. Keith ter of David and Anna (Aikens) Wilkins, natives 

married Miss Laura Palmer, a most accom- of Scotland. ( )ur subject's father was born in 

plished and refined young lady, who has bent Allegheny County in 1S22, ami died in New 



210 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



Castle Aug. 14, 1889. In early life he was a pro- 
ficient teacher, with a peculiar fitness for govern- 
ing unruly youths, having managed some of the 
schools that had a pretty bad reputation for their 
treatment of previous masters, for it was a time 
when the older boys attended school more for the 
purpose of annoying the teacher than for any 
learning they might acquire, or any good they 
might imbibe from the general atniosi>here of the 
school-room. One of the worst schools, that it 
ever became his lot to subdue was one that had 
thrown out every teacher that had undertaken 
the herculean task of enforcing order, and had 
ruled the school-house for many terms, he set- 



who died very young; David F. ; Mary E., the 
wife of John W. Brothers, an engineer on the 
Pennsylvania R. R.; John Harvey, our subject; 
James A., a conductor on the Ft. Wayne R. R.; 
Martha, a dressmaker; Joseph L., a brakeman 
of the Erie R. R.; and Effie. The three youngest 
of the family live with their mother at her resi- 
dence on West Falls Street. 

Our subject continued to live in his native 
county until he was eighteen years of age, and 
attended the district schools there and in New 
Castle, whither he moved in 1870, till his twenty- 
first year. At the age of twenty-one he began 
railroad life as a brakeman on the Beaver Vallev 



tied on the second day. On the opening day, the R. R., and was employed in that capacity until 

pupils were given all the chance in the world 1889, except occasional work that lie did in the 

to show who was the leader in meanness, and planing mills in the years 1875 and 1876. In 

then on the folowing day this leading spirit was 1889, he became yard conductor of New Castle, 

called out l)cfore the whole school on the first a position he held until a fit of sickness laid him 

offense, and given such a thrashing that neither low in the summer of 1895. Upon reporting for 

he nor any other pupil ever gave any further an- duty again after a full recovery, he found a new 

noyance that term. lie was a great student and superintendent in charge, who was not disposed 

reader with an unusually retentive memory. In to give him his old position again. Indignant 

middle life, he followed the carpenter's trade, re- at such injustice, his friends secured for him a 

tiring from active life some years before his lucrative position on the P. & L. E. R. R., by 

death on Aug. 14, 1889. He was a member of which he has been employed since October, 1895. 



the Second Presbyterian Church, as is his widow 
and all uf the children. He was a Republican in 
politics. Our subject's grandparents on the 
father's side were William and Martha (Craw- 
ford) Douglas, who attained the ages of seventv- 
five and ninety-five years respectively. They 
were natives of Scotland, and possessed the stur- 
dy qualities of that hardy race; the grandfather 
followed pursuits of an agricultural nature after 
coming to America. To our subject's parents 
were born eight children, as follows: an infant, 



Mr. Douglas was married in New Castle, in 
1883, to Mary J. Robinson, a native of that city, 
and a daughter of R. Paisley Robinson, who 
with his wife Jane (Davies) Robinson was a na- 
tive of Lawrence County. Jane Davies was a 
daughter of Robert and Jane Davies, who were 
natives of bonny Scotland, as was George Rob- 
inson, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Douglas. 
To the parents of Mrs. Douglas were born seven 
children: Robert, deceased; George, deceased; 
Mary Jane, our subject's wife; Annie (Harris); 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, I AW REN CE COUNTY. 



211 



William Stewart Robinson, baggagemaster on 
the P. & W. R. R.; Lizzie A., deceased; and one 
who died in infancy. The union of our subject 
and wife has been blessed with four children: 
Austin Earl and Ethel, now in the public 
schools; Robert, who lived but a few days 
after birth, and an infant daughter born Oct. 4, 
1897. Both Mr. and Mrs. Douglas are members 
of Central Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. 
Douglas is a Republican, and in his social rela- 
tions is a member of the Brotherhood of Rail- 
way Trainmen, and Fidelis Lodge, No. 460, 
Knights of Pythias, to which organization he 
has belonged since June 22, 1882. During its 
existence, he was a member of tiie Senior Order 
of American Mechanics. Mr. Douglas has a 
comfortable home at No. 156 Green Street, 
where he enjoys the society of his family and 
immediate friends around his own fireside. 



MRS. ELIZABETH McFARLAND, to 
whom an exceedingly old age has come, and yet 
who lives with as briglit an eye and with facul- 
ties as clear and unimpaired as in the days of 
yore, is one of the most widely known and liigh- 
ly respected residents of Mahoning township. 
She has in her long life seen the forest lands, 
filled with all kinds of wild and savage animals, 
give way to the hardy woodsman's axe, and be- 
come transfornieil into smiling fields covered 
with orchards, grain, or pasturage. .She has 
witnessed the wilderness, inhabited only by the 
sturdy pioneer or the fleeing Indian brave, open 
up into fields and glades dotted here and there 
witli villages of the present day, or the .spacious 



dwellings and out-buildings of the prosperous 
descendants of the first settlers. 

j\Irs. McFarland is the widow of John F. Mc- 
I-'arland, and comes from one of the earliest fam- 
ilies, who settled in Western Pennsylvania. She 
was born Dec. 5, 1810, a daughter of Robert 
and Sarah (Smith) Davidson. Mr. Davidson 
was a native of County Dcrry, Ireland, who left 
his native land at an early date, and came to 
America, settling in Erie, Pa. He followed agri- 
cultural pursuits throughout his life, and was a 
popular, progressive, and influential citizen. He 
died at tiie age of eighty-nine years and five 
months, and his faithful wife, who had for years 
shared his toil, his cares, and later his prosper- 
ity, reached the age of eighty-nine years and 
seven months. Their children were by name: 
IClizabeth; Rosanna; Robert; Jane; Sarah; and 
Margaret. 

Ehzabeth, the eldest, and the subject of this 
brief biography, when a young lady married 
John Y. McFarland, who was born in West- 
moreland Co., Pa., a son of Francis and Mary 
(McWilliams) McFarland. The father was born 
in Ireland of Scotch- Irish ancestry, and was of 
gentle blood, his father being what was termed 
a "gentleman," a holder of land, and a man of 
wealth and influence. .\i his death, the widow 
with her children came to America, being in- 
duced to take that step by a son, John, who hail 
previously located on this side of the water. 
Thev settled in Westmoreland Co., Pa., wiiere 
I'Vancis on attaining manhood was married. 
With his wife and two children, Francis Mc- 
Farland removed to Mahoning township, mak- 
ing the long and tedious journey on horseback. 
Here he took five hundred acres of land, and 



212 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

settled down in the fastnesses of the forest with hands(jmely provided for. He died in 1873, re- 
few neighbors, except the wandering- Indians, spected and nionrned by a large circle of friends, 
ever prone to niarander. These dusky warriors whom his ready hospitality, cheery kindness and 
were happily at peace with the white men, as straightforward manner had drawn to him. Mr. 
they never proved troublesome. Mr. McFar- McFarland was a man of character and refine- 
land labored early and late to make his estate ment. His good blood showed in all his actions 
habitable and productive. Success crowned his and ways. His share in the work of this busy 
efTorts and before many years had passed swiftly world was performed carefully and well to the 
by he had cleared a portion of his first farm, and best of his ability. The success which attended 
had taken up another ecjually as extensive and his efforts was deserved, and came to him as a 
adjoining. He departed this life at eighty-five natural result of his methods of life, 
years of age, and his wife fell into her last sleep The children who were born to John F. Me- 
at the age of eighty-two. He was a very l'"arland and his wife Elizabeth were named: 
thorough business man, and a most successful Mary Ann, now. the wife of James Paden; Rob- 
manager. Of hopeful spirit and steady resolve, ert, who is engaged in farming on the prairies 
lie did much to encourage the other settlers of Iowa; Margaret, who lives at home; David 
when they were struggling against discourage- and Sarah, both deceased; A. Lewis; Joseph P. 
ments and hardships. His knowledge of busi- and John O. A., who are both at home with their 
ness methods, too, was invaluable in assisting mother, managing the estate; and Josephine, 
them to perfect their claims and titles on the who lived only until her eighth year. Of the 
new land. He reared these children: John F. ; two sons who are at home, Joseph P. has been 
Hannah; Mary; David; Ann; Robert; Isaac; married. His wife was Lizzie McDonald, daugh- 
Dickson; Irving; Lewis; and four others, who ter of James McDonald; she was taken from her 
died in infancy or childhood. sorrowing husband in 1895 at the age of thirty- 
John F. McFarland, the late husband of the six. Both Joseph P. and John O. A. McFarland 
subject of this sketch, inherited 150 acres of the are active and respected men in the community, 
original tract; on his place he built a large two- They are, like their father, pronounced believers 
story brick house; later on the foiui<lations of in the principles of the Republican party, anil 
the house jiroved faulty, so he tore the building are in all matters of a personal or public nature 
down, and rebuilt the structure solidly in the worthy successors to and bearers of their hon- 
shape it now has. He followed general farming ored name. 

all of his life, but paid special attention to setting Mrs. McFarland is n(.)w on the sunny western 

out orchards and adding modern improvements, slope of life. Surrounded by friends of the pres- 

The best of prosperity always seemed to be his, ent and the dear memories of the past, she is 

following as a result of his well-directed labors, filling out a life that has been of use and advan- 

so that when he passed from this life and its tage to both herself and every one who has come 

clianging scenes, he left his wife and family into the circk' of her good influence. 




JOHN J. KELLEY^ 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 215 

SA.MUKL JI. SMITH, deceased, late an betli (^.\lc( iraw) Foinbelle. ^[rs. Sinilh's nunher 

esteemed citizen of Shenango township, and was born in Xorth Sewickley township, and was 

proprietor of a dairy farm three miles south of a daughter of James McGraw, who married a 

New Castle, was born in Perry township, Oct, Miss Yeager. Theophilus Fombelle was born 

1 8, 1850, ancf was the second in a family of eight in Beaver County, and was a son of Abel l"om- 

childrcn, l)orn to James and Rosa Jane (Morri- belle. Our subject and liis wife have been 

son) Smith. Our subject's mother was born in blessed with an interesting family of three chil- 

Perry townsiiip in 1829, and (bed in August, dren: Edna Pearl; llattie May; and Mary 

1864; she was a daughter of Squire William Grace. They are members of the L'nitcd Pres- 

Morrison, who married Harriet i'rew , a iiienil)er byterian Clnirdi, and Mr. Smith was unswcrv- 

of one of the oldest families in tlie county, who ing in his loyalty to the Republican party and its 

lived to be seventy-two years of age. Squire principles. Mr. Smith was killed April 2,^, 1897, 

William Morrison, who was also born in Perry by an explosion of dynamite while clearing a 

township, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and lived piece of land of stumps. He lived but nine hours 

to be seventy-four years old; he was a justice of after the accident, 
tiic i^eace for a number of years; his father was 
Alexander Morrison, a farmer, who came to 
IJeaver County at an early day. James Smith, 
the father of our subject, was born in County 

Antrim, Ireland, in 1818, came to this country in jOHX ). KELLEY is a representative citi- 

1830, and dei)arte<l this life in 1890; he came ^en of Ellwood City, who is rounding out the 

across the water with his father, John Smith, a closing vears of his career as an efficient public 

weaver in the old country, but a farmer in officer, and making a good record for himself 

America, who died in the State of Iowa at the ^s justice of the peace by the legal acumen and 

age of eighty years. calm sobriety displayed in his decisions, and 

Samuel H. Smith lived in Perry township un- ^1^0 by the general satisfaction that he accords, 

til he reached the age of twenty-eight years, at- He is a native of the western part of the l':ni])ire 

tending the district .schools till lie was twenty State, although his parents were of Irish birth 

years old, and working on his father's farm and parentage. His grandfather, Sanuiel 

thereafter. In 1878, he bought his present farm Kdlev, lived in County Down, Ireland, and 

of 150 acres, which is now devoted to dairy came to this country in 1823, taking up a two 

farming, and su])ports some thirty-five head of hundred acre tract in Mercer Co., Pa. lie was 

choice cattle. aided by his sons, some of wIumu were grown up 

Mr. Smith was married. ( )ct. 20, 1881, in and old enough to help clear away the forest. 

North .'^ewickley township, to Eunice Fombelle, and to bring under cultivation the farm, which 

a native of that township, and fourth in a family was located on the old ".Scrub Cirass" Road, 

of twelve children horn to 'riicophilus and Eliza- twelve miles from Mercer. His wife, Jane (Aus- 



210 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

till) Kelley, became the motlier of four sons and subject of this history; Mary J-; William A., Jr.; 

four daughters — Samuel, John, William A., Samuel, deceased; James; David; Joseph and a 

David, Xancy, Agnes, IsabcUe, and Matilda, daughter, both deceased, the latter passing away 

Sanuiel Kelley lived to enjoy the ninetieth anni- when twenty years of age. 

versary of his birth, while his good wife lacked The subject of this writing learned the trade 
but three years of completing a century. of a millwright, and worked for a number of 
Air. Kelley's father, \\'illiam, married Agnes years in Western Pennsylvania and Ohio, build- 
Adams in the ( )ld Country, just before their de- ing many mills for the manufacture of lumber 
parture for the West; he helped his father on and the grinding of grain throughout all that 
the homestead, and then began contracting in splendid, Inroad territory. In 1847, 'i^ espoused 
canal work on the Pittsburg & Blairsville Canal. .Elvira L. Leach, daughter of Hon. Atorris 
also on the extension of the Johnstown Canal, Leach, a prominent citizen of Mercer County, 
and at length made his home in Johnstown, who had represented his district in the State 
where he finished a contract on the Juniata Legislature for two terms. The new home was 
Canal, and was the proprietor of an hotel for a made in Centerville, Butler County, and from 
while. In 1833, he settled in Mercer County, there Mr. Kelley marched away in 1862 to join 
between Mercer and Sharon, invested in a prop- the army at the front, after his enlistment in Co. 
erty of 250 acres, cleared a great part of the F, 134th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf. He was commis- 
land, and built a house, since well known in that sioned first lieutenant, was soon after appointed 
vicinity as the "Red Tavern"; later on when the adjutant of the 134th Regiment, and served four 
original structures on the land became unsuit- months in all, when an injury, caused by his 
able for occuj^ancy or use, he sold a portion of being thrown from a Ijridge, intervened that 
the farm, and with the proceeds went to work secured his discharge for disabilities. He has 
and init up a nice house, and barns to match, since been lame, a state of affairs that dates back 
In 1846, he removed to Platteville, Wis., where t(.> his army experience. In 1879, Mr. Kelley 
he lived on a farm until the "49 gold fever began located at Crcston, Io\va, where he built a mill, 
to excite adventurcrus minds; in 1830 he jcMued and operated it for a vear and a half, when he 
the train of eager seekers for the yellow metal, converted his propfrt\ into money, and came 
and remained in the mining country until iS(k), I)ack to Pennsvlvania, where he became the 
speculating and mining, at which date he re- owner of tlie Mehard mill at Wurtenilierg, ibis 
turned to Wisconsin and lived with his wife, county. He retained his interest in that prop- 
until she was removed from his side in 1879, at erty and continued milling in Wurtemberg for 
the age of seventy-three. He then sought his nine years, and in 1891 caiue to Elhvood City, 
old Pennsylvania home, and lived with his son where he has since resided, and where he has 
until his own decease at the age of fourscore taken a lively and abiding interest in local 
years. William A. and Agnes (Adams) Kelley affairs. Pie built his home on the corner of 
were the parents of these children: John J., the Seventh Street and Park Avenue, and again 



ROOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. l>17 

worked at his occupation of millwright until Dennison of I'arkcrshursj. W. \'a.: Kva Cornc- 

he retired from arduous labors to enjoy the lia wedded j. II. Walker, a merchant ol Mrie, 

peace and contentment of iionie life, untroubled Pa.; Leah T,. married A. T. Snyder of ()ita\\a, 

by thought of the morrow. I'ut it was not his Kansas; Delos Morton engaged in silver mining 

lot long to remain in retirement, for his fellow- in Colorado; Benjamin V. is a clerk in ElKvood 

citizens and neighbors, cognizant of his sterling City; Hattie B. is the wife of Dr. C. E. Jackson 

worth, elevated him to the position of first jus- of New Brighton, Pa.; and a daughter, Ella, 

tice of the peace of Ellwood City, but this office who died at the age of twenty years, 
he did not accept at the time. In June, 1894, 

he was appointed to fill a vacancy, and served _■».»..»«. 

until 1895, when he was re-elected for the term 

expiring in 1900. Besides his work as an officer MALCOLM McCOXXELL, one of the best 

of the law, he attends to the making of collec- known and ablest attorneys of New Castle, was 

tions promptly and courteously, transacts a gen- born in Wilmington township, Mercer County, 

eral pension business, giving especial attention Dec. 13, 1851, and is a son of Capt. Thomas and 

to this line of work, which he is well qualified Jane S. (McComb) McConncU, grandson of 

to do. He has an office in the Cunningham James and Rachel (Lytell) McConnell, and 

building, where he is always pleased to meet his great-grandson of Hugh McConnell. The latter 

friends and clients. He is a Democrat, politi- was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born in 

cally, and as an active, enterprising citizen, takes the northern part of Ireland in .\nnagh Coun- 

a deep interest in everything tending for the ty, being one of a large family of eighteen chil- 

public good. He is sincere in his convictions, dren. In religious faith, he was a Protestant, 

forms his opinions with deliberation, and adheres and because of the persecutions directed against 

to them with manly courage and fidelity. In his sect in Ireland at that time, he left his native 

his social life he is a member of Centerville soil, and immigrated to America in 1772; on the 

Lodge, I. O. O. E., of whicli he was a charter outbreak of the Revolutionary War, he joined 

member in 1852 and also past grand. In relig- the j)atriots, and gave his best services for tlie 

ions matters he is attached to the Presl))terian land of his adoption. After several years in the 

Church. His portrait we have i)lace(l on a pre- Colonies, he made a permanent settlement in 

ceding page. Clearfield Co., Pa., where he married, in 1776, 

Mr. and Mrs. Kelley are the i)arents of a large Miss Jane Eerguson, who died in I77(). His 

family, and the members are for the most part second wife was a Miss Thompson. 

scattered from home in various directions, each James McConnell, our subject's grandfather, 

flourishing and reflecting honor on his earlv was the onlv issue of his father's first marriage. 



'S 



training. Morris L. is a druggist at McKees- He was born in Center Co., Pa., Nov. 7, 1777, 
port, Pa.; William X. is a merchant in Philadel- and on Nov. 7, 1809, he married Rachel Lytell, 
phia; Nancy Maria became the wife of F. S. who was born Eeb. 12, 1783, and was left an 



218 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

orphan when a child. James McCoiinell was settled countr_\-. he lived to see that country de- 
reared a farmer, and settled on a farm on I'iper's velop into a rich farming, manufacturing and 
Run, Ijul l)eing a natural born mechanic, he in mining district — his own interests also grew 
1824 exchanged his pro[)erty for the William ajiace, his log structure, where he first engaged 
Edeburn property on the Shenango River, in milling, being succeeded by a large and well- 
where there was situated a small log mill, which appointed mill. (Jwning oxen and horses in 
he refitted upnn becoming its owner, antl car- large numbers, he carried on an extensive busi- 
ried nn a nulling business, being located in ness in teaming, exchanging the product of his 
Shenaug(3 township. The mill possessed only mill for general merchandise and grain. Bears 
one set of stones, which were operated on the and other large game aboimded, furnishing to 
Short System, and with this simple equipment the one skilled in hunting a plentiful supply of 
he ground all kinds of grain fi)r the few settlers fresh meat for the larder; he was thus enabled to 
in his vicinity, the nearest trading point being recount to his children and grandchildren manv 
Allegheny. It was with such surroundings he exciting tales of encounters, that lost not a whit 
reared a family of eight children, and became of their interest in the relating. His death took 
a leading and influential citizen. As the popu- place in 1877; he was a soldier in the War of 
lation incriasi-d, necessitating an increase in his 1812, and was stationed on the Niagara Fron- 
facilities t<i meet the increased <lemands. he built tier. His wife died in 1850, aged seventy-six 
new and larger mills, anil as he desired mnre years. Their children were: Margaret, born 
power from the small stream, he set out to invent Nov. 16, 1810; Hugh, June 4, 1812; John C, 
a water-wheel. These were the circumstances March I,:;, 1813; Mar\-, March 29, 1816; James 
that led him to contrive whal is tn-day known V ., March 2-; , 1818; Elizabeth, Eeb. 28, 1820; 
as the McConnell turljine water wheel; as is Capt. Thomas. Aug. 12, 1822; and Rachel. Sept. 
often the case, his ingeimit\ did not receive its 2"/, 1824. ( )f the above family Hugh, Thomas 
reward, for others, seeing the \alue of the wheel, and Rachel are living to-day; all the rest, with 
fooled him out of it. This unfortunate occurrence the exception of IClizabeth, who died young, 
wore on his mind, and embittered nuich of his lived to a good age. 

later life. xA.fter a while, to secure better water Capt. Thomas McL'onnell assisted his father 

power, he bought a site for his mill farther tlown in milling and received a good education, and 

the stream, and rafted his buildings down the has been engaged in milling in different locali- 

river, and at his new location l)uilt up a large ties the greater portion of his life. In 1842 his 

and thriving business, putting in elevators, etc., father having bought the Neshamiock Mills, 

so as to assist in the proper development of the north of New Wilmington, he engaged in his 

industry. In middle life he was made a crijjple, chosen occupation there, where he met and won 

lamed in his leg by typhoid fever, and his sons the hand of Jane S. McComb, daughter of Mal- 

practically conducted the business thereafter. colm McComh, in marriage, the ceremony, 

("onnnencing a poor man in a new and sjiarsely which united them as man .and wife, being per- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. '21'J 

formed Aiiril i6, 1846. Shortly after his mar- sick leave. He remained at home six weeks, 

ria^c, the >[exicaii War l)roke out, and his then retmiied to liis ree;iment, and was dis- 

patriotic soul called him to aid his country, and charged at White ( )ak Church, Dec. 10, 1862, on 

so he became a nuMuher of the X'oluntecr Cav- account of disability. After he returned home 

airy, hut was not called into the service. As his to Xew Castle, whither his family had removed, 

trade j^^rew, he enlarfjed his facilities, hut as he he followed his trade, and in ( )ctoher, 1864, was 

soon was cramped for lack of room, he, in 1853. elected sheriff of Lawrence County, for a term of 

leased the Xeshannock kails Mills, where he was three years. He tlien sjicnt several years huild- 

identilied \\itii the millinj; indiistr\ until 1839, in^T oil rijii^-s in Shenang'O and TUitler Counties, 

when he went to West .Middlesex, entered into and su])erinlendetl oil mining. He now owns 

partnershi]) with others and built a steam Hour- and conducts with liis son James, under the firm 

ing mill, during which time he entered into the name of T. McConncU & Son, the Forest Mills 

oil s|)eculation at Titusville, which did not prove at Slippery Rock, this county. His wife died in 

a success. .\t that period the excitenu-nt auent .Tnly, i8<;6. There were born to Ihein seven 

the secession of the .Slave States was fever high, children, namely: Mary A., born March. 1847; 

and he with others enlisted and helped to organ- .\retlnisa. Xov. i. 184S: Malcolm, Dec. i,^, 1851 : 

ize a company, acting as its commander. He an infant, ^fay 3, 1833: James. March 20, 1833; 

has written a full and graphic account of his own John, .\pril i", 1837; and Robert D., Doc. 6. 

and his father's lives, which is one of the best '<^59- 

of its character that the |iresent writer has ever ^falcolm McConnell attended the schools of 

read, and we would like to rejjeat it here in this Xew Castle, and worked with his father, learn- 

connection verbatim, but limited sjiace forbids ing the millwright's trade. In 1873. which was 

it. He entered the service of the State April 23. the last year that he sjicnt in the mill, he became 

1 86 1. enlisfiTig in Co. R, loth Reg. Pa. Reserve a student in tlic law office of Co|. R. 1!. Mc- 
Corps; he was mustered into the service as ca])- Comb, and was admitted to the bar of the State 
tain, June H), 18^)1, and on Jnl\ Ji. following, of Pemisylvania, Dec. 14, 1874. ITe tiiereui)on 
the division was transferred into tiie I'nited associated himself with Mr. McComb for one 
States service, his reginu'nt being tiie 3()tli Reg. year, and in ( )ctober, 1876, he became a partner 
I'a. \'ol. Inf.; was on detached dut\- in May, of John Mc.Michael, and for eight years prac- 

1862, as a member of the general court martial. ticed law with him. Mr. McMichael having been 
He ])articipated in the engagements at Dranes- elected judge r)f the district, Mr, McConnell 
ville,Mechanicsvillc,and at the Second lUill Run. since then has been alone. lie is a stanch 
At Mechanicsville, June 2O, 1862, hi- was woiuid- Re])nl)lican. and lias served as district altor- 
ed in the back of the neck by a shell, and was ney for three years. Xot confining his ener- 
treated in the field hospital until July 5, 1862, gies to his profession, but branching out in other 
when he was taken to the lios])ital at Washing- legitimate directions, he is known as a large 
ton, 1). ('., wlu'rc <in tiie i2lh lie was granted owner of real estate. He built a fine home on 



220 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA IVKENCE COUNTY. 

Neshaniiock Avenue, and in company with P. J. Allegheny Co., Pa., and died in Moravia, janu- 
Watson purchased the H. C. Falls estate of 126 ary, 1890. He was in early life a coal-miner, 
acres, and resides there at present: the greater but when the oil was struck in Pennsylvania, 
part of it has been laid out in lots, and has al- he became a well-driller, and was superintendent 
ready been built on. for Brewer, Watson & Co., and lived in Clar- 
Our subject, on the ninth of August, 1876, ion, ( »hio four years and a half. From there 
married Frances Emma h'indley, daughter of he moved to Moravia, where he bought twenty- 
Rev. William Findley, D. D., of New Wilming- three acres of land well adapted to gardening, to 
ton. She was taken from him ( )ct. 9, 1892, at which he devoted the whole into a wonderfully 
the age of forty-two, leaving three children: high state of cultivation. During a part of the 
Francis James, l.)orn May 21, 1877, died March time when lie was gardening, he was proprietor 
10, 1895; IMalcolm Findley, Nov. ,3, 1880; and of a grocery store, which he at length closed 
Thomas Cunningham, Feb. 29, 1888. out, as he saw he could not give justice to his 

gardening, while still engaged in other work. 
He was a son of Thomas P>ro\vn. To our sub- 
ject's parents were born two children: A'incent 
M. of Allegheny County, and Henry \'., the 
HENRY V. BROWN, a market gardener of subject of this sketch. 
Moravia village, Taylor township, and well- <"Uir subject was still an infant, when his par- 
known to many residents of New Castle and eiits moved to Clarion, and he was still tinder 
Mahoningtown to whom he sells garden pro- the school age, when they returned to Lawrence 
dnce, was born near Tarrentuni, Allegheny Co., County: consequently, his school education was 
Nov. 22, 1839, and is a son of Thomas T- and all received in Moravia, and he grew u|) to the 
Susannah {C)\\) Brown. Our subject's mother gardening business, helping his father. When 
was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., and was a he was twenty-one, he moved to Kingsville, 
daughter of Henry Ow, who married Elizabeth Ashtabula Co., ( )hio, where he engaged in farm- 
Catherine Good, a native of Westmoreland ing on shares for a }ear or two. On his return 
County, and a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth to Moravia he was in a store for al)out five 
Catherine (Munschar) Good. Henrv Ow was a years, and since 1888, has been engaged exten- 
farmer thrDUglnnit the most of liis life, altliough sively in gardening, marketing his [oroduce in 
he learned the blacksmith's trade in youth and New Castle, Mahoningtown and EUwood City, 
followed it for a considerable length of time; he He was joined in wedlock, in Shenango town- 
died at the age of seventy-five. He was a son of ship, Feb. 25, 1886, to Mary H. Davis, daughter 
Herman Ow, a native of Germany, who was a of James and Lavina (Iddings) Davis, the latter 
local preacher of the Lutheran denomination, a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Hoopes) 
and lived to be eight\-four or eighty-five years Iddings. Hannah Ho(5pes was a daughter of 
old. Thomas J. Brown was born in Hulton, Ezra and Ann (Hickman) Hoopes, and her 




MR, AMD MRS, JAMES M. LONG, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



'J23 



great-grandfather came to Anu-rica with WiUiam back, wlicn forty years of age. He was survived 

Penn, and from him received a square on Mar- by his wife, Mlhi, and seven chiliheu, all of whom 

ket Street, Philadelphia. Joseph Iddings was a lived to maturity and many years thereafter. The 

son of James and Mary (Pierce) Iddings. James children bore the following names: Alexander, 



Davis, Mrs. Brown's father, was a son of Levi 
and Catherine (\'an Horn) Davis. Three chil- 
dren liave been 1)()rn to our subject and his W'ife: 
Emma ]•" ranees; Jesse ( ).; and Leora. Our sub- 
ject and his wife are members of the Presby- 
terian Churcii. Mr. Pjrown is a member of the 
Junior Order of United American Mechanics, 
No. 322, Moravia Council. Tie is a strong Pro- 
hibitionist, both upholding and supporting the 



Jolin, Sarah, Margaret, Joseph, Jr., David, and 
Arthur S. 

Our subject's fatlier was born in 1814, and 
learned the trade of a stone-mason; on the old 
canal he was engaged for long periods, and also 
constructed many cellars in New Castle, furnish- 
ing the stone for his w'ork from a quarry he 
owned and operated. Tn 1864 ''<^ bought a farm 
in \[ercer Countv, and farmed there in connec- 



partv of that name by his vote and influence, tion with his stone-mason trade until 18S0. when 

and also endeavoring to extend and strengthen he retired to New Castle, and died in 1885. His 

the temperance feeling by being an active mem- first wife, Jane, daughter of James McWilliams, 

ber of the Royal Templars of Temperance, Su- died at the age of twenty-five, leaving three chil- 

preme Council, No, 83, of Moravia. He is an dren: James M.; Ellen; and Lydia, deceased, 

honest, law-abiding, upright citizen, who will in His second wife, Susan, daughter of James Mc- 

nine cases out of ten l)e found on the side of Candless, was born in 1816, and died in 1893, 

truth and sound morality. bearing our subject's father the following chil- 
dren: Scott D.; Robert C, deceased: Eaura: 

M . ^ . — William H. ; and Joseph S. 

Our subject in early manhood learned the 

JAMES M. LONG, one of the prominent and brick-mason's trade, and worked at brick-laying 

progressive citizens of New Castle, and a con- and in speculating in the oil fields. Tn 1861, he 

tractor of stone and lirick masonry, was born in enlisted in Co. 1'. 12th Reg. Pa. Yo\. Inf. for 

New Castle, May 28, 1838, and is a son of David three months, and then returned to labor at his 

and Jane ('Mc^^'illiams) Long, and grandson of trade, and in 1864 entered into the business of 

Joseph Long, and great-grandson of Alexander contracting at New Castle, and followed that 

Long, who came from Westmoreland Co., Pa., occupation until 1885,- when he was elected 

and located on a farm just a little south of New county commissioner, and served six years. He 

Castle in 1806. His two sons, Joseph and Ar- also manufactured I)rick at .South New Castle 

tluir divided the farm e(|ually. each taking icw from 1881 to i8(p, wjien he sold out, and has 

acres, and living there all their lives. Joseph since been one of the largest dealers in building 

Long, our subject's grandfather, was drowned stone and sand in the town. Tn i8()7 he again 

while fording the river at Rock Point on horse- engaged ii' the brick business in partnership with 



224 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



his brother, Joseph S. He has built seven CHARLES B. STRIGHT of Mahoningtown 

houses, and owns several tenements and a fine is an engineer on the P. & W. R. R. He was 

home at No. 31 Court Street, where he lives. He born near New Vernon, Mercer Co., Pa., Oct. 5, 

has been a devoted worker for the best interests i86r. and is a son cjf Andrew ami Maria (Corner) 

of New Castle, and has the best right to 1)e in- Stright, and grandson on his father's side of 

eluded among the substantial .and prosperous George and Margaret (Boland) Stright, ami 

business men of the city. grandson on his mother's side of Thomas and 

Mr. Long married Miss Amanda Eliza Mc- Jane Corner. Our subject's mother was born 

Kee, daughter of Charles and Margaret (Cham- in Lancashire, England, and came to America 

bers) McKee, who were born in Shenango town- with her parents when a child; her father, whose 

ship, and granddaughter of James and Rachel vocation was that of a coal miner, lived to be 

fW'han) McKee. who were born in Countv ninety-seven years old, and his wife attained the 

Down, Ireland, and New Jersey respective!)-, good old age of eighty-seven. Andrew Stright 

James McKee was among the very early settlers was born in Pennsylvania in 1818, and ileparted 

of Shenango township, and secured a good this life in i8<->2. He was a millwright by occu- 

farm which he cleared and put into the best pos- pation. In his ])olitics. he was Repulilican, after 

sible condition. His son. Charles, succeeded his the organization of that partv, and served his 

father, and became a leading farmer of the town, township as school director and as supervisor, 

and lived to be eighty-three years old. dying in being a prominent and able man of his conuiiu- 

1896. His wife, who departed this life at the age nity. He favored the Presbyterian Church in 
of forty-four, bore him the following children: 
James; Amanda Eliza; Alexander C now de- 
ceased, wln) served in Co. A. of the 134th Reg. 
Pa. Vol. Inf.; John C.. a physician of New Cas- 
tle; Caroline R.; l)a\id A., deceased: and 
Mary J. 

To Mr. I^ou!'- and his wife have been fjorn 



religious matters. 

Charles !'>. lived in New \'ernon and attended 
the schools until he \\as twelve years of age; 
since he was si.xtcen years old, he has made his 
own wav. Eor eighteen months he worked in a 
shingle mill in .\'ew A'crnon. Pa., and for the 
five years succeeding he was employed in the 
three sons: Clarence C, born July 10, 1X68, is iron works at ^'oungstown, C)hio; from there 
an electrician at Reading, Pa.; Clyde D. died he went t(.) Pittsburg, wdicre he worked in the 
aged two months and a half; Roy A., born Oct. railroad shops for some eight months. Since 
7, 1876, is attending Westminster College at " June 16. 1885. he has been working for the P. & 
Wilmington, Pa. Mr. Long is a Republican, \\ . I\. R.; he served the first two years as a 
and a member of the G. A. R. Post and of the "hostler" in the round house at OrrviUe, ( )hio, 
United Presbyterian Church. The portraits of was then fireman on an engine for two years, 
Mr. and I\Irs. Long, which aecompanv this and on Dec. 20. T889. was pnunoted to the posi- 
sketch, add a decided value to the biographical tion of engineer, \vhich he has filled since, with 
records of Lawrence County. his principal run from Allegheny City to Akron, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



?>■>:! 



.^ 



(Jhio. lie is a nifiiiber of the Brotherhood of 
Locomotive Engineers, Division, No. 411, of 
Paincsvillc, Ohio. He is conscientious and 
faitliful in the discliargc of his exacting duties, 
and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his 
superiors in the largest degree. 

He was married, Oct. 18, 1S87. in Orrville. 
Ohio, to Margaret Miller, who was born in 
Sniithville, a daughter of Michael and Mary 
(Hainer) Miller, and the union lias been produc- 
tive of three children: Cotta May; Anna liazen : 
and Charles Herman. Mr. and Mrs. Stright are 
regular attendants of the Presbyterian Church, 
and very pojiular in the various societies of the 
church, tie is a member of Amazon Lodge, 
Knights of Pythias, Xo. 336, of Mahoningtown. 



JUDGE J. NORMAN :MAKTIN, one of 
New Castle's ablest and best known attorneys, 
and a descendant of an early family of note of 
Lawrence County, was born near Neshannock 
Falls, this county, Oct. 361859, and is a son of 
James and Sarah (Mills) Martin, and grandson 
of William and Agnes (Martin) Martin. 

William Martin was born in County Armagh, 
Ireland. His ancestors, wlio belonged to the 
Clan IMcAlpin, moved into Ireland from Scot- 
land in King Henry the Eighth's time. ^Villiam 
was the son of James Martin, a large land own- 
er. Our subject's grandfather married Agnes 
Martin in Londonderry, Ireland, and came to 
America, probably because of his religious 
views, as we know that his brother came slu)rtly 
before him to escape religious persecution. 



William Martin settled in Mercer County, where 
he engaged in dealing in cattle, buying a drove, 
and selling them in Philadelphia, after driving 
them thither. Later on he bought 400 acres of 
land in \\'ashington township (now Lawrence 
Count}), and built a frame dwelling, which he 
replaced, after fire had destroyed it, witli a large 
brick house, which was also destroyed by fire; 
he then built a fine, substantial set of buildings, 
which are standing to-day, and are owned by 
A\'illiam C, his grandson and our subject's 
brother, together with part of the original pur- 
chase. He was a man of large ideas, and liberal 
minded, and l)ecame a leading, progressive citi- 
zen of the county, because of his superior quali- 
fications. He came to America at about the age 
of 23, and died in 1872 at the age of seventy- 
four. His wife died three years later in 1875 at 
the age of eighty-one. These were the children 
who were born to them: James, deceased, our 
subject's father; Thomas, who lives at Plain 
Grove; George, a resident of Washington town- 
ship; Jane, wlio married Mr. \'osler; Mary, who 
married Mr. Mehard; ami Elizabeth, deceased, 
who was the wife of Mr. Uockius. 

James Martin was born in this county on the 
homestead, and bought a farm in Wilmington 
township, when he set up in life for himself; he 
was a cattle-drover early in life, but as his years 
advanced devoted his time and attention more 
and more to agfricultural operations, dying at 
the age of sixty-one, in 1883, from tuberculosis. 
His wife departed this life in 1880, aged fifty- 
seven years. Our subject's father was a Whig 
and later a Republican and an active Abolition- 
ist. In his religious preferences, he was a mem- 
ber of the Cnited Presbvterian Church. He 



22r. BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 

reared the fLillowing chililren: \\'illian] C, a self very acceptaljle to the voters of the county 

farmer, residing on his grandfather's lioniestead: l)y reason of his ahiUty and sterling worth, and 

John j\I., a physician and surgeon of drove City, has been offered many offices, but he is practi- 

and a nieniljer of the State Legislature; Melissa cally not an office-seeker. He has done nnich to 

married Rev. S. I\I. Black of New Wilmington, advance the material progress of his city, was a 

Pa.; Amanda, wife of Rev. R. A. Jameson of stockholder in organizing the first electric light 

Apollo, Pa.; Agnes, deceased, was the wife of company, and is a director of the Citizens' Na- 

W. C. Wilson; Elizabeth married W. G. Nelson tional Bank of New Castle. 

of Grove Citv; James Norman is the subject of Judge Martin married Miss Jennie A. 

this ]")ersonal history ; Joseph E. owns his father's Andrews, daughter of Rev. J. K. Andrews of 

homestead at Neshannock Ealls; Eva M. mar- Bedford, Pa., and one child has been given 

ried C. M. Forrest of Grove City. them: Norman A., born Nov. lo, 1887. He 

Our subject attended the W^estminster Col- erected a residence at No. 66 Milton Street, 

lege, from which he graduated in 1 881, went to where he resides, and owns considerable real 

Leavenworth, Kan., and studied law with Hon. estate in various parts of the city. 
Lucius Baker, U. S. Senator, and was there 
taken down with a severe attack of typhoid 
fever. L'pon his recovery, he returned home, 
and taught mathematics one year in the AIc- 

Elaine Institute. He then entered the law office WH.LL\M H. CHAMBERS is an esteemed 
of D. V>. & E. T. Kurtz of New Castle, and after citizen of Mahoningtown. resiiling on Liberty 
having fully jirepared himself, was admitted to Street: for many years past he has taken the lead 
the bar in the Septend)er term of the court nf in all brick and stone-masonry work in the 
Lawrence County in 1883. A partnership was liorough and its environs. His parents, James 
then entered into with S. L. McCracken, which and Margaret (Warwick) Chambers, were both 
was known as Martin & McCracken, and which natives of County Down. Ireland, the mother a 
continued until 1886, since which time Air. daughter of W^illiam and Jane (I'.rennan) War- 
Martin has been in jiractice alone and has rapid- wick. William Warwick with his wife and fam- 
ly risen before the people, both in his ]irofession ily then Ijorn came to America in 1848, settling 
and in the field of politics, to which he is no in North Beaver township, this county, where 
stranger. He was a member of the common he engaged in farming, and lived to the age of 
council from 18S5 to 1S89. and of the select seventy-five years; his wife survived his depart- 
council from iSyo to 1892. In 1892 he was ap- ure many years, and lived to fill out ninety 
])ointed judge, and served until Januar)-. 1893, years, replete with many happy memories, and 
and has since devoted his whole time to his pro- adorned with manv deeds of kindness. James 
fession. Judge Martin, although a Democratic Chambers was two years old, when his parents, 
resident of a Republican county, has made him- William and Mary (Hazlet) Chambers, immi- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 22T 

grated to the I'liiled States; they were natives his neighbors and fellow-citizens, respected as a 
of County Down. William Chambers took part man of sterling worth and excellent judgment, 
in the Irish Rebellion in 1798, and had to make and honored for his many services to the bor- 
his escape to this country; in Ireland he was a ough and to the community at large in the inter- 
stone-mason, but on coming to America he est of law, order and a sound morality, 
bought a farm in North Beaver township, and Mr. Chambers was joined in marriage Oct. 
followed agricultural pursuits until his death. 22, 1879, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Ella 
James Chambers, the father of our subject, IMegown, who was born in Enon \alley. Law- 
learned the cooper's trade and followed it in his rencc County, a daughter of Samuel R. and 
earlier years, but latterly folhnvetl farming, con- .\nna (Andrew.s) Mcgown, both of Scotch 
tinning in that occupation until his death. He descent. Our subject's family is composed of 
was a member of tlic United Presbyterian four children, namely: Anna; Clififord; and the 
Church, and thoroughly believed in the political twins, ^Margaret and Elida. Both our subject 
principles advocated by the Democratic party. and his e.xcellent wife are members in good 
William 11. Chand)ers was born in North standing of the I'rosbyterian Church of Mahon- 
Beaver township, I-awrencc County, on his ingtown. Mr. Chaml)ers is a loyal and earnest 
father's homestead, Eeb. 10, 1852, and remained Democrat, and has served as justice of the peace 
at home until he was twenty years old, assisting four years, finally resigning from that position 
in the farm work, and attending the district because of pressing work of a private nature, 
schools whenever he found opportunity. He and has been a member of the school board for 
then, at the age mentioned above, went to twelve years. He has a good standing in 
Youngstown, Ohio, and learned the trade of a Masonic circles, and is a member of Lodge of 
mason both in brick and stone work, and as a the Craft, No. 433 of New Castle; and Delta 
journeyman mason worked three years in Chapter, No. 170, R. A. M. of New Castle. 
Youngstown and New Castle. In the spring of 

1877, he began taking contracts for masonry m-^-^^ 

work, and in 1880 came to Mahoningtown, 

where he has ever since been the leading con- JA]\IES C. RANEY, a miller of the borough 
tractor in his line of work. Among the largest of Mahoningtown, was bcjrn in Youngstown, 
contracts which he has taken and executed in a Ohio, Jan. 7, i860, and is a son of Almon and 
superior manner are the M. E. Church edifice, . Nancy (Bower) Rancy. Almon Raney was a 
the new schoolhouse, and the bank building, all son of John D. and Jane (Parker) Raney, the 
creditable examples of the mason's art. Mr. latter a native of lulinburg. Pa., and a daugh- 
Chambers bears an excellent reputation for ter of James Parker, a native of Virginia, and a 
good, honest work, and he prides himself on the soldier of the Revohition. who lived to be up- 
general satisfaction which has attended all his wards of ninety years of age, dying in Edin- 
efTorts. He is popular and well liked among burg. Jolm D. Raney was born in Coitsville, 



228 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Ohio, in 1812, and ])asse(l away at the aj^e of (McMillan) Brock. Her mother was liorn in 
seventv-two years in Youngstown, Ohio, which Beaver County, and was a daughter of William 
city he had served as mayor, and was holding a and Martha (Marcjuis) McMillan, the former a 
commission as justice of the peace at the time son of John and Eliza (Moore) McMillan, and 
of his death. During his residence in Edinburg, the latter a daughter of David and Nellie Mar- 
he served his district in the Pennsylvania Legis- quis. Mrs. Raney's father was born in Lanca- 
lature. He was a miller by occupation, and fol- shire, Eng., in 1820, and was a son of James and 
lowe<l milling in Edinburg and Youngstown, Eleanor Brock. j\lrs. Raney is a member of 
but had retired froiu active work several years the Presbyterian Church, and warmly interested 
previous to his death. He was of Scotch in all its benevolent work. Politics do not ap- 
descent. Our subject's mother was a daughter peal very strongly to Mr. Raney, for his busi- 
of David and Marv A. Bower. David Bower ness has ncved failed to claim his whole attention 
kept a store on "The Diamond" 'in ^Mahoning- to the exclusion of all other interests; he is con- 
town, during the days of the canal, and lived to tent to exercise his franchise as a simple Amer- 
attain the age of sixty-three years. ican citizen, and as a supporter of the Republi- 
Tames C. Raney was reared in Youngstown, can party. He has been a stockholder in the 
Ohio, where he lived six or seven years of liis Mahoningtown Bank since its organization, and 
boyhood, and in the various cities and tow'ns in is president of the school board. 
States west of T'cnnsylvania, where his father 

had resided during our subject's youth, working 

^ 

at civil engineering. The family lived succes- 

sivelv at Danville. Bl., Bloomington and Wash- 
ington, Ind., and New Lisbon, Ohio. He re- WH^LIAM H, L( )CKE, a prominent citizen 
ceived the most of his schooling in New Lisbon, of Mahoningtown, and the leading tinsmith of 
(Jhio, wdiere he lived for a considerable period the Ijorough, was born in the city of New Cas- 
witli his grandparents, and then removed to tie, Dec. 9, 1859, and is a son of William S. and 
I'Yanklin. He learned milling under the super- Katharine (Eloor) Locke. \\'illiam S. Locke 
vision of his uncle, Eostwick Raney, familiarly was a son of William H. Locke, (ine of the first 
known to a large circle of acquaintances as settlers of the county, and a miller l)y trade: he 
"Doc," at Eranklin S(|uare, Ohio, where he li\ed to be sixty-four years of age. ()ur sub- 
resided some six vears. In June. 18S3, he came ject's father was born in New Castle, June 16, 
to Mahoningtown, and engaged with his uncle, 1S28, and dieil June 15. 1888: wdien thirteen 
James A. Raney, as miller. years old, he learned the tinsmith's trade at New 
]Mr. Ranev deserted the state of single bles- Lisbon, Ohio, and from there in 1867 went to 
sedness to become a benedict in September, Pittsburg, working as a tin and coppersmith tw'O 
1886, when he married, in Malmningtown, Delia years. From that city in October. 1869, he 
Brock, daughter of Capt. John and Rebecca moved to New Wilmington, where he resided 




.^■^ 



WICK W. WOOD AND Daughter EDNA T. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



231 



the rest of his hfe. From 1873 to 1881 he was 
proprietor and manager of the Central Hotel. In 
politics, he was a firm Republican, and socially 
he was a member of the I. O. O. F. He and his 
wife were members of the M. E. Church. She 
was born in Petersburg, Ohio, and was a daugh- 
ter of Jolin and Margaret F'loor; John Floor, a 
tanner by trade, lived to be abtjut eighty years 
of age. There were born to our subject's par- 
ents three children, who were as follows: Mary 
Enmia, the wife of E. B. Hunter of Franklin, 
Pa.; William II.; and Annie Margaret, who died 
at the age of eleven. 

\\'illiani H. was ten years of age when the 
family left New Castle, and moved to New Wil- 
mington; his education was secured in the puli- 
lic schools of New Castle and in New Wilming- 
ton. When nineteen years old, he learned the 
tinner's trade in his father's shop at New Wil- 
mington, and in the spring of 1881 went into 
business for himself in that borough, and 
successfully conducted it until he disposed of it 
at a good figure in 1889; after the sale was 
completed, he worked for his successor. In 
1 89 1, he came to Mahoningtown, and opened u)) 
a tin-shop on Cherry Street, where he now has 
a well-established trade of large and constantly 
increasing dimensions; the business is becoming 
more valuable every day, and bringing to the 
proprietor the reward of well-directed and ener- 
getic toil. 

He was joined in the bonds of matrimony in 
New Wilmington, April 14, 1881, to Isabella P>. 
Peveridge, who was born near Edinburg, Scot- 
land, a daughter of Robert and Ann (Hender- 
son) Beveridge. Robert Peveridge in Scotland 
before coming to this country was interested in 



mines, and after becoming a resident and citizen 
of Pennsylvania was interested in the mines of 
IMercer County. Three children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Locke: John S.; George W. 
deceased; and Clara I. The family are mem- 
bers and regular attendants of the M. E. Church 
of Mahoningtown. Mr. Locke is a member of 
the New Wilmington Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; Ama- 
zon Lodge, Knights of Pythias, No. 336, of Ma- 
honingtown; and Excelsior Lodge, No. 121, 
Protected Home Circle of Mahoningtown. Both 
in New Wilmington and Mahoningtown Mr. 
Locke has taken an intelligent and active inter- 
est in local matters of interest, and has stood 
high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens as a 
man of excellent judgment . and progressive 
ideas. In New Wilmington he served in the 
borougli council, of which he was secretary; in 
Mahoningtown he has served efficiently to the 
general satisfaction of men of all classes as a 
member of the school board. 



WICK W. WOOD, the subject of this sketch, 
was born in Greenville, Mercer Co., Pa., Dec. 
I, 1858, his father being Capt. William W. W. 
\\'ood, who was shot at the first battle of Fred- 
ericksburg, dying one month afterwards froni 
the effects of the wound at Douglass Hospital, 
Washington. D. C. ; William W. W. Wood was 
captain of ComiKiny (j, 145th Reg. I'a. \'ol. Inf. 
( Hir sul)ject's mother, Mrs. Nancy (George) 
Wood, who died in 1873 in New York, was a 
daughter of Clinton George, deceased, who re- 
sided near Leech's Corner, about four miles 



232 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

from Greenville. The Wood family originated Clinefelter of New Castle. Mrs. Wood was l)orn 

in England, but came to the English Colonies in Dec. 8, 1863, and the couple have one child liv- 

America sometime early in 1700. A history' of ing, Miss Edna Treadwell Wood, who was liorn 

the family for 200 years or more has been kept, in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 13, 1884. ^I''- "^^^ood 

which shows that the Wood family in America has a large accpiaintance in the county, and has 

sprung from Sir Peter Wood, who lived in the made a success of his business. The portraits 

middle of the seventeenth century, and who was of Mr. Wood and daughter, Edna T., appear on 

an admiral in the British navy. a preceding page. 
Wick W. Wood and his mother resided in 

Greenville after the war, but after some years he ^^.^.^b. 

moved to New Castle and made his home with 

his uncle, A. W. Phipps, until Sept., 1871, when CHARLES H. SANKEY is one of the suc- 
he went to Mercer, Pa., to school. Leaving cessful farmers as well as law-abiding and 
school in January, 1874, he entered the office of respected citizens of Shenango township, and 
the New Castle Guardian to learn the printing resides on his farm near the center of the town- 
trade. Concluding his apprenticeship at the ship, on which farm his l.)irth took place Dec. 
trade, he became a newspaper writer, and has 2, 1846. His parents were James and Jane 
been connected with the local press for twenty (Savors) Sankcy, the latter a native of Enon 
years or more. For one year he was editor and ^'alley, this county, and a daughter of John 
owner of the New Comerstown (Ohio) Index, a Savors, a farmer of Lawrence County. James 
weekly newspaper, but sold out the business and Sankey was born in Neshannock township in 
w-as employed on the different newspapers of 1800, and departed this life in 1886. His father, 
Columbus, O. He returned to New Castle in "Aikcy" Sankey, came from the east of the 
1884, and was employed on the New Castle mountains at a very early day, settling here in 
News in various capacities until 1888, when in the wilderness as it was then. He had served in 
September of that year he became the citv edi- the War of the Revolution, and he lived to be a 
tor of the New Castle Daily and Weekly very old man. 

Courant, which is now known as the Courant- Our subject was reared on the farm where he 

Guardian. He still retains the position. Mr. was born and where he has spent his whole life; 

Wood with William Douthitt, e.x-sheriff of Law- the house in which he was born stood at the 

rence County, was connected with the Ellwood foot of the hill, and this continued to be his home 

Opera House as manager for the year 1895. He for many _\ears, at length moving from it to a 

is also the correspondent of the Pittsburg Dis- dwelling he had built half-way up the hill near 

patch, Conuuercial, Gazette, Post, and rejiresents the spring. A few years since he erected a com- 

a large number of newspapers in various parts modious and well-appointed residence on the 

of the country. He was married Sept. 5, 1880, summit of the hill not a furlong from his birth- 

to Miss Tade Clinefelter, a daughter of George place. His life has thus been spent from the 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



233 



very beginning to the present time on the home- 
stead, and that it has been a happy one, un- 
troubled by oppressing cares or burdened by 
troubles, is shown by his youthful and robust 
appearance. The farm consists of fifty-eight 
acres, splendidly situated, with numerous springs 
to provide water for domestic purposes and for 
the use of the stock. He gives his principal 
attention to growing small fruits for the city 
markets, but also carries on general farming 
quite extensively. 

Mr. Sankey was married in Xew Castle, 
March 13, 1867, to Miss Amanda Connors, 
daughter of Michael and Esther (Smith) Con- 
nors, and of this union five children have been 
born: John, who married Elizabeth Rosbery, 
and is in business in New Castle; William P., 
who is farming with his father; Maude Marie, 
the wife of Henry A. Anderson, a carpenter re- 
siding in Xew Castle; Essie May; and Edna 
Curll. Mrs. Sankey and her daughters are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Greenwood. In his politics, Mr. Sankey is 
a conscientious Republican, and votes to 
uphold the principles of that party with the 
convictions of a man who believes he is 
right, and dares to maintain his stand; he has 
served his native township as school director 
and as assessor. He is a member of the Jiuiior 
Order of United American Mechanics. 

Mr. Sankey has just opened a valuable coal 
mine, located about one-quarter mile from his 
residence, and witliin 100 feet from the highway. 
The vein is about twenty-four inches thick, of 
as fine a quality of coal as can be found in West- 
ern Pennsylvania, and he finds ready sale for the 
same in New Castle, Pa. 



ALEXANDER HOUGH, foreman of the 
iJilworth Paper Co. of Xew Castle, Pa., was 
born in Fayette Co., Pa., May 4, 1847, ''^"d is a 
son of Lewis and I'rancis (Regan) Hough, both 
natives of Westmoreland Co., Pa. 

Our subject's grandfather, Peter Hough, was 
born in Grant Co., Pa., and was a farmer by 
occupation, but also operated a still for many 
years of his life. Tliere were a nunil)er of chil- 
dren born to him and his wife, of whom Lewis, 
our subject's father, was the youngest of seven 
sons. Peter was a stanch Democrat, and a 
member of the Methodist Church. 

Lewis Hough was educated in tlie district 
schools of South Huntington township, and was 
engaged at farming all his life, and was con- 
sidered by his neighbors and those best 
acquainted with him to be very successful in his 
work and might well have been called prosper- 
ous for his day. He was originally a Democrat, 
but latterly voted the Whig ticket. He married 
Frances M. Regan, daughter of Alexander 
Regan of Westmoreland Co., Pa., and eight 
children blessed their union, namely: Sampson, 
deceased; Louisa; Alexander, our subject; Cath- 
erine; Hem\v; I'amiie; Isa; and Louis. The fam- 
ily were faithful to the Methodist F,piscopal 
Church. Our subject's father departed this life 
in 1882, aged sixty-five years, and his life-king 
helpmeet followed him across the River of Death 
to the other shore in 1891, when aged seventy- 
one years. 

Our subject's education was limited to what 
he was enabled to obtain in the district school 
of his native townshi]); he worked on a farm 
until 1862, when he engaged in tlie manufacture 
of paper in West Xewton, Pa., having charge 



234 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



would enable them to secure a reasonably fair 
subsistence from the virgin soil, and to lay up a 
little for a rainy day. As times grew better, and 
the country became more settled, their worldly 
condition noticeablv improved, and they were 
soon able to discard their log-cal)in for a brick 



of the mill for fifteen years. In 1882, Mr. Hough their new home were spent in true pioneer fash- 
moved to Beaver Falls, Pa., where he superin- ion, living in a log-cabin, and being occupied 
tended until 1888 a paper mill for the Dilworth the greater part of the time in clearing the land, 
Paper Co. In 1888, he came to New Castle, and and in making such <;ither improvements as 
is employed as superintendent or foreman of 
the company's mill there: Mr. Hough is one of 
the stockholders in the company. They manu- 
facture sack and express paper. Although not 
active in politics, and no seeker after political 
honor and emolument, he votes the Republican 
ticket and contents himself with thus having per- dwelling, which Mr. Dean constructed from 
formed his duty. brick made on his own farm, which farm is now 

In 1872, Mr. Hough married Martha Bales, owned by his son, Simeon. They reared their 
daughter of Thomas J- Bales of West Xewton, children there, and passed their last years in 
Pa. This union has been blessed with four chil- peaceful content, and in the enjoyment of the 
drcn, namely: Laura : Blanche, deceased : Xora; many blessings vouchsafed to them by an All- 
and Kurney. The family favor the Presbyterian wise Providence. Their children were named: 
Church, of which Mrs. Hough and daughters are Simeon: Isaac; Enoch and Anion: Zechariah; 
members in good standing. Our subject is a Anthea: Mary; Sarah Ann: and Mrs. Braden, 
member of the Royal Ancanum of New Castle, who died manv vears ao-o. 

Our subject's father was born on the home- 

^ , ^ , , stead, and was given fifty acres of land to make 

a start in life, to which he added 100 acres of 
land, adjoining the original tract. He was a 
verv hard worker, his over-e.xertions probably 
brinafins: on his death at the as;e of fiftv-eight 



ISAAC P. DEAN, a member of the promin- 
ent grocery and commissison house of Dean & 
Wyrie of the city of New Castle, was born in with consumption: his whole attention seeming- 



Scott township, Lawrence Countv, Se]it. 25, 
1852, and is a son of Zechariah and Sarah 
(Dean) Dean, and grandson of Jacob Dean. (\\x 
subject's grandfather and his grandiiK.ither, who 
was a Miss Lovell previous to her marriage, 
were natives of Maryland, where thev were mar- 
ried, and whence they came to Scott township. 



ly being given to the improvements of the land, 
it is no great wonder that he accomplished so 
much as he did, and made his farm one of the 
most productive as well as finely ecjuipped farms 
in the township. His wife is still living. Their 
children were: !Mary J., deceased, who married 
R. C. G. White: Isaac P., the subject (.)f this nar- 



this county, where they bought a farm about ration: Jacob J., who is a large and successful 
two miles from where the village of Harlansburg grocer of New Castle: and Benjamin F., an 
is now located. Their first years of residence in attoniev of New Castle. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCH COUNTY. 



235 



Our subject was apprenticed to the harness- DA\"ID S. MORRIS, one of New Castle's 

making trade, and served tliree years, but dis- prominent, leading attorneys, and a large owner 

liking that occupation he entered into the gro- of real estate, was born in Meadville, Pa., and 

eery business with R. C. G. White, under the is a son of Levi L. and Xancy (McKnight) Mor- 

firm name of White & Dean, continuing in that ris, and a grandson of David and Ann Morris — 

connection until 1883, when the partnership his fatiier's birthplace being near Cardigan, 

was dissolved. He was then associated with Wales. About the year 1800 our subject's 



J. A. riinenian in the grocery business at Har- 
lansburg. After this our subject bought the 
homestead, and carried on farming seven years, 
acquiring an enviable reputation as a model 
farmer; he still owns the farm, which he rented 
in 1891, and came to N'ew Castle, where with 
J. H. Preston he carried on a commission busi- 
ness at No. 74 Pittsburg Street. Jan. i, 1897, he 
bought a one-half interest in the business of 
R. W. Wyrie, and at their store on Walnut 
Street, New Castle, under the firm name of 
Dean & Wyrie, thev not onlv attend to the 



grandparents emigrated from tlieir native shores 
and settled first on a farm, near L'tica, X. \ ., re- 
maining there until 1813, when they came to 
Crawford Co., Pa., and bought a farm near 
Meadville. where they spent the remainder of 
tlieir years, and reared their family of children. 
David Morris was a volunteer in the ^^'ar of 
1812. lie was of a very progressive nature, and 
provided liberally for his family of nine children, 
wiio all grew up to worthy men and women, re- 
spected members of the conmiunities in which 
they spent iheir lives, and proud of their Welsh 



wants of large retail patronage in groceries, but ancestrv. David Morris and his noble wife both 



they also do a large business in handling coun- 
try produce, making a specialty of butter and 
eggs. 

Mr. Dean married Louise Gillespie, daughter 
of John (jillespie of this county, and Scott town- 
ship, and to them have been given five children. 



lived to a good old age, the husband dying at 
about eighty-five years of age. The children 
were named as follows: John; Levi Lewis: 
Richard; David; Lienor; Mary; Martha; Ann; 
and Jane. 

Levi L. Morris received a good old-fashioned 



as follows: Morence. who married Henry Klee training in the schools of the day, learned the 

of New Castle, and has two children, Edmond carpenter's trade, and settled at Meadville, Pa., 

and Catherine; Charles, who marrried Josephine where he became a contractor, and was engaged 

Pile and has two children, Louis and Dorothy, in the building industry, until his health failed 

is shi])ping clerk in Dean's wholesale house; and he went South to recuperate. Between the 

Herbert, a clerk of New Castle, married Minnie years 1836 and 1838, he took the contract for 

Smith, and has one child. Helene; I'.lanch is a the Court Plouses in Yazoo and Carroll Coun- 

bookkeeper; Ezma is a student. Mr. Dean ties, Miss., and completed the work with entire 

has been school director and town treasurer satisfaction. He was taken sick with a fever at 

and is a member of the Order of Knights of Carrollton, and died at the age of forty. His wife 

Pythias. lived to be eighty-five years old, and was the 



236 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

mother of five children as follows: David S.; Streets, he has dealt extensively in real estate, 
Mary J.; Phoebe E. ; James L. ; and John F. and owns several tenements to-day. Our sub- 
David S. Alorris attended the Allegheny Col- jet's politics are Democratic, as were his 
lege, from which he graduated in 1843, 'i''"! then father's, and he is a stanch supporter pf the cause 
became a student in the law office of Hr)n. H. L. of temperance. From 1876 to 1888 he was in 
Richmond of Meadvillc, but instead of finishing the city council, serving eleven years as the 
his preparation for the practice of his profession, president of the select council. He was school 
he became interested in manufacturing, and with controller for one term in 1875. 
Anthony Henderson, nntler the firm name of He married jMiss Lide A. Loy, daughter of 
Henderson & Morris, built and conducted at Martin Loy, and to them were given two chil- 
Croton, Pa., the first w in<low glass manufactory dren, one of whom died in infancy. The surviv- 
west of Pittsburg, in 1848. This company was ing child, Anne L., married John M. Butz. 
re-organized under the name of Croton Glass 
Co., Limited, employing about 200 men; in 1854, 
our subject retired from that line of business, and 
sold all his interest in the plant. During this 

time, the company also ran a general store where IRWIN RHODES, an engineer on the Penn- 

Prown & Hamilton's store is now. In 1855, Mr. sylvania R. R., living at Mahoningtovvn, was 

Morris was appointed by the government as born in that l>orough, April 21, 1859. He is a 

mail agent to California, but soon decided to re- son of David and Helen M. (Shafer) Rhodes, 

turn and finish his legal studies; acting upon and a grandson of Solomon and Rebecca 

this determination, he was accordingly admitted (Bender) Rhodes. Rebecca Bender was born in 

to the bar in 1856 at New Castle, and since then Lancaster Co.. Pa., July 10, 1810, and married 

has practiced alone, with the exception of three her husband Nov. 11, 1828; she bore her hus- 

or four years in the eighties, when he was asso- l,and eight children; she was a daughter of 

ciated with Albert Harbison. His practice has David Bender, who moved from Lancaster 

been general, and has extended into every de- County to Lawrence County, where he bought 

liartment of law and jurisprudence. a farm near Mahoningtown and was engaged m 

Outside of his profession, Mr. INIorris has ever farming until his death at the age of seventy, 

continued to take a very active interest in the Solomon Rhodes was born in York Co., Pa., 

progress of New Castle, and was one of the in- Jan. 22. 1801, and in early life was a miller, but 

corporators of the New Castle Iron Co., manu- later in life owned and operated a farm. He 

facturers of sheet ircin, and retained the position was a soldier of the War of 181 2, and in j8i8 

of secretary for a long term of years. He is also crossed the mountains and became a resident of 

a large stockholder of the New Castle Electric Lawrence County, buying a farm in North 

Light Company, and besides buiUling himself Beaver township, where he lived until his death 

a house at the corner of Grant and Beaver at the age of sixty-two years. 




WILLIAM MONCRIEF. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 239 

David Rhodes lived in Lancaster County un- years worked in Raney's mill. After a short 
til thirteen years of age, when the family came time with liis father in carpentry work, he start- 
to Beaver (now Lawrence) County. At the age ed out on his railroad career, beginning at the 
of eighteen he learned the carpenter's trade, and bottom of the ladder as a section-hand, and was 
in subsequent years became one of the most e.\- then on a gravel-train for a year. He next be- 
tensive contractors and builders in the borough came a brakcman, and after three years became 
of Malioningtown, being associated with his a fireman, serving in that capacity for two years 
brothers in building at least one-half of the and three months, and being rewarded for faith- 
houses under construction during the period of ful and continuous service by being appomted an 
their activity. At the time of the building of the engineer Dec. 6, 1888. 

New Castle & Beaver \'alley R. R., he was ap- He was married, June 29, 1881, in Mahoning- 
pointed superintendent of construction, and town, to Emma Pitzer, a native of Illinois, and a 
built the depots along the line of the road. He daughter of Henry and Caroline (Sutton) Pitzer; 
is a stanch Republican, and much interested Henry Pitzer was a son of John and Elizabeth 
in local politics. He and his wife are members (Ginter) Pitzer. Two cliildren are the fruit of 
in good standing of the Methodist Church. They our subject's marriage: Clarence Frisbee, de- 
were joined in marriage June 9, 1858. She was ceased; and David Ray. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Rhodes 
a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Cameron) are members of the M. E. Church of Mahoning- 
Shafer, the latter of Scotch-Irish descent and a town. Mr. Rhodes is a Republican in politics, 
daughter of Allan and Elizabeth Cameron. Peter and is a member of the \olunlecr Relief Corps 
Shafer, who was a son of Christopher and Eliza- of the Pennsylvania Co.'s lines, 
beth Shafer, lived to attain the age of eighty-two 

years, dying in 1884. All of David Rhodes' four ---•■*• 
sons are interested in railroad work; they are: 

Irwin, the subject of this sketch; Peter S., a train WILLIAM MOXCREIF, burgess of West 
dispatcher for the Pennsylvania R. R., living at Xew Castle, whose portrait appears on the 
Mahoningtown, whose life history appears on opposite page, was born in I'.ridgcton, N . ]., 
another page; Charles W., a baggage-master, Aug. 22, 1830, and is a son of Hugh Moncreif, 
living in Mahoningtown; and David D., who is who was also born in the same place, 
a fireman with headquarters at home in Mahon- Our subject's father was a hatter by trade, and 
ingtown. served his full apprenticeship with Mr. Johnson 
Irwin Rhodes attended the schools of Mahon- of I'.ridgcton; he worked at tliis trade only a few 
iiigtown borough until he was fom'teen years of years, for his health suffered noticeably from the 
age, when he began work in a (|uarry, where he confining, indoor nature of the employment, 
remained four or five years. He then secured a and he accordingly drifted into other channels 
position in Wallace's- mill, where he was em- ot industrial work, becoming at last a brick- 
ployed two years, and for the five succeeding maker, which remained his vocation through the 



240 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA U'RENCE COUNTY. 

remainder of his life. He lived to be eighty dren: Rachel A. (Sutton); and tiattie E. A 

years old. He married Clarissa Bacon of Green- number of years after the decease of his first 

wicli, X. T.. who died at the age of ninety-four wife, he formed a second matrimonial union with 

years, and reared the following ten children: ;\Iary Miller of Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Moncreif 

Benjamin, who died in Xew Castle; Carolina is a member of the Union A'eteran Legion, and 

(Foster); Robert, now a resident of Bridgeton, was elected burgess of West New Castle in the 

N. J.; an infant deceased; ]\[ary, who died at the spring of 1897. Among his fellow-citizens he 

age of eighteen; William, the subject of this is a deservedly popular man, for he is a simple, 

notice; Franklin, now in \'ineland, X. J.; Rachel unostentatious man, whose good points became 

(Loper); Hugh, now in Bridgeton; and Horace, more attractive and noticeable upon closer 

deceased. acquaintance. His faithfulness and the strict 

At the age of thirteen vears, our subject start- attention he gives to the work that lies before 

ed out in life for himself, begiiming at that age him have always made him well liked by his 

a three vears' apprenticeship in a nail factory employers, and assisted in bringing to him a 

at Bridgeton, in 1843. t^pon learning the trade, good custom in his trade, 
he went to Phoenix, Pa., where he remained for 
a vear, then to Xorristown, Pa., and then to 
Booneton, X. J., in which place he remained 
eleven years working at his trade. In the spring 

of 1861, he enhsted in Co. F, 3rd Reg. X. J. \'o!. ROBERT C. AHCEX, a respected and 

Inf., and served three vears and three months honored resident of Ellwood City, whose busi- 

in the late war: the regiment formed a part of the ness associations identify him with the leading 

First Brigade, which was attached to the First real estate interests of that thriving community. 

Division of the Sixth Armv Corps. After he re- is a son of Alexander Aiken, who was born near 

turned from the fighting at the front, he made Baltimore, Md. When eighteen years of age, 

Bridgeton his home until 1872, when he moved Alexander Aiken came to Slippery Rock town- 

to Pittsburg, Pa., and worked in a nail factory ship, it was about the year 1795, and bought 200 

until 1875, when he came to Xew Castle, and acres, that he cleared and made into a good, 

worked in the factories until 1888, when he was productive farm; it is at present owned by ]Mr. 

compelled to leave his trade because of poor !\IcOueston. His frame barn was the first of its 

health, and to engage in some lighter employ- kind in the county, and its erection was followed 

ment. He conducted a confectionery store at soon afterward by that of a house. He was a 

No. 67 Cemetery Street, \\here he also lived, man of many good parts, and withal \\as a pro- 

until its destruction by fire ]March 24, 1897. He gressive farmer. His life spanned sixty-eight 

is now retired. years, and that of his wife exceeded that num- 

Mr. Moncreif married, as his first wife, Sarah ber by four. Mrs. Aiken was a daughter of 

Milling-ton, who died in i860, leaving two chil- James Henry, and she bore eleven children, as 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 241 

follows: Jane (Mrs. McMillcn); Martha (Mrs. to the Lawrence County liar. He practiced for 

\\'liite); Sarah (Mrs. Allen); William F. ; Alex- a short time in New Castle, was then an assist- 

ander H.; Thomas; Albert; James; Mary (Mrs. ant of George 1!. Xye in Hazel Uell for ahont a 

Ciardner); Robert C; and an infant, who died. year, and in the summer of 1895 began his pres- 

Robert C. Aiken was only thirteen years of eiit connection with the I'"irst National Bank of 

age when his father died; he therefore stayed at Ellwood City as a clerk. He is now the cashier 

home and fully carried out his filial duties to the in this solid financial institution. In social cir- 

widowed mother. He lived on the homestead cles. he is a member of the I'. & A. M. Lodge, 

until 1S61, when he sold it, and selected loi Xo. 599, of Ellwood City, 
acres of land near Sewickley, Beaver County, 
where he remained until 1896. For three years 
Mr. Aiken dealt in merchandise in Beaver Coun- 
ty, and built there a new house and barn, hut 

tiually removed to Ellwood City in 1S96. Here JOSEPH S. WHITE, one of New Castle's 

he is interested in real estate, some of it being oldest and most highly respected citizens, who 

very valuable property in the oil country, and has done his share to build up and beautify New 

also devotes a portion of his time to writing in- Castle from a small borough to a prosperous 

surance. Mr. Aiken cast his first ballot for John city, was born within the present city limits, 

C. Fremont for President, and has held minor Dec. 29, 1820, and is a son of Crawford and 

offices in Beaver County. In 1896 he was Elizabeth (Dunlap) White, and grandson of 

elected burgess of T''llwood City. The famil\- David and Mary (Crawford) While, who were 

adheres strictly to the principles and doctrines farmers and reared a family of eight children, 

of the United Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Rob- namely: James; Benjamin; Josiah; Crawford; 

ert C. Aiken, before her marriage with our sub- David; Samuel; Mrs. McMillin; and Mrs. S. 

ject, was Tirzah Aiken, daughter of James Aiken Hanna. 

of Montville, Pa. Her death in 1893 at the age Crawford White was born in Cumberland Co., 
of forty-eight left seven children to mourn her Pa., and in 1804 came to New Castle, and settled 
departure from their midst. Their names in or- on lot No. 1953 of the "donation lands," on 
der are: James Elmer; Alexander H.; Mary; which he built a log-house. In 1806 he returned 
John C; Robert C, Jr.; Maggie M.; and Effie A. to his native county to marry Elizabeth Dun- 
James Elmer Aiken was born in Wayne town- lap, daughter of John Dunlap. and at once be- 
slii]). Lawrence Co., Pa., Sept. 4, 1862, and suj)- gan to clear the land on his New Castle proper- 
plemented a district school education by pur- tv. In the War of 1812 he was a member of 
suing advanced courses of study in Grove City Capt. Fisher's Co., which went to Erie. In 1818 
College, after which he studied law in the office he erected a grist-mill with three sets of stones 
of James A. Gardner. He successfully passed and a saw-mill at the foot of Beaver Street, and 
the State Examination and in 1888 was admitted did the principal part of the milling for the set- 



242 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

tiers for miles around. He dieil at the age of Castle, where he was interested in the lumber 

sixty about the year 1833; his wife died in 1875 business to ^ome extent. He reared a large 

aged ninetv-six vears. Thev were both mem- family, and did much to further the progress of 

hers of the IVesbyterian Church, and helped to the town. He was not only very successful as 

build the old brick Presbyterian Church. Their a physician and surgeon, with a reputation for 

children were: James D.; Amanda A.; Eliza A.; skillful work which extended through a number 

John C: Joseph S.: and others who died young, of counties, but he was also a leader in general 

Our subject remained at home, assisting his business and industrial circles. He was recog- 

brother Tames in the grist-mill and iron mills nized as one of the foremost men of the western 

until his brother's death. He then was with his part of Pennsylvania, and was a fre<iuent and 

brother-in-law in the postoffice until he was welcome contributor to various periodicals on 

twenty ^'ears of age. when he in company with many questions of current public interest. He 

Mr. Farley became interested for a time in a died in 1856 at the age of sixt)'-five years. His 

founilry at New Castle. He then carried on wife lived to the advanced age of eighty-six 

farming on a part of the old homestead. His years. Their children were: Periander; Mile; 

next venture was with Dr. Joseph Pollock in Camilla: Isaphena; Hiram; Behnda; Adaline; 

carrying on the lumber business, and afterwards Laura; Caroline; and Josephine. The marriage 

he was with Stevens, Craig & Co., in the hunber of our subject has been blessed with twelve chil- 

business in the manufacture of lumber, planing, dren, as follows; an infant son, deceased; Alice, 

sashes and doors, etc , under the firm name of who married George Greer, president of the 

Stevens, Craig & Co. When the mill bnrneil Xew Castle Steel & Tinplate Co. of New Cas- 

down, ]\Ir. White continued the lumber business tie: Eva, the wife of E. C. IMcClintock of Bos- 

for a few years and returned to farming on the ton, iNIass.; John C. ; Carrie M. married Rev. E. 

old homestead, frnm which, because of its loca- S. Willard, and they were missionaries to Alaska 

tion near the borough line, he has sold many for thirteen years; Rev. Joseph P., of Eagle 

building lots, and still owns an excellent farm of JMills Presbyterian Church; Arthur, who died in 

100 acres, on which he has a fine residence sur- his twentieth year; PYed of Boston, Mass.; 

rounded with large and beautiful oak groves — Adaline, who died in her eighteenth year; Belle 

it is one of the choicest pieces of property still ]\Iay, who is a professional nurse, and a grad- 

left within the citv limits, and is Ux-ated at No. uate of the Women's Temperance Hospital of 

312 North Jefferson Street. Chicago, 111.; Lizzie died young; and an infant 

I\Ir. \\'hite married ]\liss Adaline Pollock, daughter, now deceased. Our subject has living 

daughter of Dr. Joseph and Rachel (Morehead) to-day seven children and twenty grandchildren. 

Pollock. Dr. Pollock was born in 1788, finished ]\Ir. White cast his first vote in a Presidential 

his ciillegiate course in 1808. and in 1810 com- election for a Democratic nominee, then sup- 

menced his practice near Monongahela Citv, ported the Free Soilers; since the organization 

Washington Comity, but later came to New of the Republican party he supported it loyally 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



243 



until tliey repealed local option in Pennsyl- 
vania when he supported the Prohibition Party, 
since which time he has been a steadfast adher- 
ent of that party of reform. In slavery days he 
was no idle looker-on of the terrible deeds of 
inhumanity that were perpetrated in the name 
of law and justice; rather he took an active in- 
terest in the great underground system, which 
was the means of rescuing many a poor slave 
from a life worse than death, and Mr. White and 
his good wife did all in their power to protect 
such unfortunates as came their way. and by 
every available means to assist the progress of 
abolitionist doctrines. His home and his money 
was at the servMce of the movement, for he 
thought he was on the right side, and w'e be- 
lieve that the people of the land to-day will unite 
in saying that they are glad that there were a 
few men in the hour of darkness and danger, 
who were not afraid to risk their life and liberty 
for the sake of a ])e()ple unjustly oppressed. 



JOSEPH niCK LOXC. one of New Castle's 
leading grocers, was born in the above city, 
April 3, 1872, and is a son of Elias and Margaret 
(McKever) Long, grandson of John Long, 
great-grandson of Joseph Long, and great- 
great-grandson of Alexander Long, who came 
from Westmoreland Co., Pa., and located on a 
farm just a little south of New Castle in 1806. 
His two sons, Joseph and Arthur, divided the 
farm between them, each taking 100 acres; they 
lived there all the rest of their several lives, 
Joseph Long, our subject's great-grandfather. 



meeting his death l)y drowning, when attempt- 
ing to ford the river at Rock Point on horse- 
back, when forty years of age. He was survived 
by his wife, Ella, and the following seven chil- 
dren, all of whom grew to maturity: Alexan- 
der; John, our subject's grandfather; Sarah; 
Margaret; Joseph, Jr.; David: and Arthur S. 
Our subject's grandfather was born in New Cas- 
tle, which remained his home through the great- 
er part of his life, in which he was engaged prin- 
cipally as a farmer. 

Elias Long was born in New Castle, and early 
in life entered into the limestone business; after 
a few years, he disposed of his property and in- 
vestments in that direction, and engaged in the 
grocery business in South New Castle, where 
he continued for twenty-eight years, winning 
the highest esteem of his large circle of acquaint- 
ances and customers, and building up a very ex- 
tensive trade. His death, from an attack of 
typhoid fever, occurred in March, 1895, at the 
age of fifty-si.x years. He served in the council 
sixteen years, and was overseer of the poor six 
years. His wife passed away at the age of forty- 
six years, a victim of consumption. Their chil- 
dren were named: IClIa; John !•"., deceased; 
(irace, deceased; Joseph Dick, the sul)ject of 
this sketch; Jessie E. ; and James K. 

Our subject attended the New Castle schools, 
and when eighteen years old began clerking in 
his father's store. In 1894. in company with 
Messrs. E. & E. Davis, under the style of J. 1 ). 
Long & Co., he opened up a general grocery 
store in the Cunningham P)lock at No. 8 Pitts- 
burg Street. At the expiration of one year, .Mr. 
Long bought out his partners, and does at this 
writing a very large and rcnninerative business 



2U ■ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

in New Castle and its vicinitv, employing three that time had just been completed, and he has 
clerks to attend to the wants of his customers, made it one of the finest hotels in the country 
He is a popular, well-liked young man, whose for miles around, being noted especially as a 
success has been richlv deserved. He owns the popular summer resort. The mineral springs of 
old homestead at No. 680 Aloravia Street, which Pulaski, which he controls in connection with 
his grandfather built. In his political views, he the hotel, draw many people, as the water is 
is independent. He is a member of the fraternal famed for its beneficial properties, and is widely 
order, F. & A. jM., and since his earl\- manhood used, both in the locality and in eastern cities, 
his whole time and attention has l.)een devoted The Pulaski Natural Mineral Water Co., as the 
to his Vnisiness, with what result we have already firm is styled, of which (jur subject is sole pro- 
shown. l)rietor, bottles 3,500 to 6,000 quarts per day and 

ships to outside points, as there is a demand for 
this product the year around. In this inudstry 
Mr. Nickum is a leader, as he owns the com- 
pany's stock, and has the sole responsibility. 

JOHN W. NICKUM of Ellwood City, Pa., is The Hotel Pulaski is a substantial three-story 

the proprietor of the Hotel Pulaski, also pro- edifice, with Mansard roof, and is well kept in 

prietor of the Nickum wli<:)lesnle house, dealing every particular, the attendance being first-class, 

in liquors, wines and malts, and controlling the and the cuisine imexcelled. Since the opening 

natural mineral water from the springs at Pul- of the Pulaski its guests have had only praise 

aski. Mr. Nickum began his life in Mercer, for the management, and its careful attention 

Mercer Co., Pa., Sept. 3, 1854, and is a son of and well-being. Pjeing equipped with modern 

Thomas J. and Hannah (Rogers) Nickum. conveniences, and supplied with all the advan- 

Thomas J. Nickum was born in Emmitsburg, tages spoken of, the Pulaski's reputation as a 

Md., and in boyhood entered a printing office, first-class hostelry is certainly assured, 

advancing in time to the post of publisher of the In 1895, Mr. Nickum came to Ellwood City, 

Mercer County Whig; he continued to run that and built a block, 40x80 feet on the ground, and 

paper until his retirement from active participa- uses the lower floor for double stores, while the 

tion in labor, and he is now an honored resident second floor is diviiled into twelve large rooms, 

of Pulaski, directing the branches of his son's which are employed liy his wholesale liquor 

business that are there established. business, where he keeps a large selected stock of 

John W. Nickum in 1870 built the handsome liquors of both home and foreign manufacture, 

and modern livery stable in Mercer, kninvn as ISarns and a warehouse in connection with this 

Nickum's Livery Barn, where he conducted a latter establishment are located on Sixth Street 

good business, renting it in 1893. and finallv sell- and Lawrence Aveiuie. In addition to the busi- 

ing the whole in 1897. In 1893, ^^r. Nickum ness interests, already referred to in outline, Mr. 

became the owner of the Plotel Pulaski, that at Nickum is a heavv stockholder in the Ellwood 






JACOB R. BOGGS, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COU^/TY. 



2i7 



City Gas Co., also the largest stockholder in the tors came from Scotland. Many of the hest peo- 



Mercer das Co., and several other interests in 
Mercer. He is an intelligent, active citizen, of 
strikingly handsome personal appearance, and 
has hosts of friends. His business ability is uni- 
versally recognized as of the highest order, and 
entitles him to a hearty recognition among the 
leading and representative citizens of Ellwood. 



pie in Pennsylvania to-day are descended from 
the long-suffering sons of Erin, for it seems that 
to those who have been forced by an iron hand 
to yield obedience to unjust decrees and to con- 
sider the divine right of kings the first pillar of 
government, there is something incfTably dear 
in the sight of the flag waving over a land where 



Whatever pertains to the welfare and prosperity all men are free and equal before the law. From 
of the city is of moment to him, and he certain- the sturdy Irish and Scotch-Irish people have 
Iv is a valuable addition to the business interests been developed worthy citizens, who would be 



of Ellwood City. 

Mr. Nickuni won for his life-companion Ida 
M. Brown of Sandy Lake. Pa., and they have 
two daughters — Katie B., who is a bookkeeper 
for her father; and Nellie. Our subject is a 
thorough Republican, and has served as burgess 



an honor to any commonwealth. Western 
Pennsylvania is especially fortunate in having 
been settled by pioneers who belonged chiefly 
to this class, and that their work in building up 
this beautiful country was done well goes with- 
out saying. The ardent love of liberty is fos- 



of Mercer, and as a member of that city's coun- tered and kept alive in such a race, grateful for 



cil. He holds a membership in several fraternal 
orders, among which are F. & .\. M., and A. O. 
U. \\'., both of Mercer, Mercer Co.. Pa. 



tile l)lcssings of a free land, and in times of 
tmuhle and deep distress, when our very integ- 
rity as a nation was threatened, the Scotch-Irish 
responded nobly to the call, and proved them- 
selves to be entitled to rank with our best citi- 
zens. America asks for no better class of citi- 
■ zens than those of kindred speech, who have 
JACOB R. BOGGS, whose portrait may be sought civil and religious freedom on her shores. 



viewed on the opposite page, is a thrifty and well- 
to-do farmer, who lives near Xew Galilee in F>ig 
Beaver township, Lawrence County, who has 
mounted the ladder of success, and now occu- 
pies a position of esteem in his connuunity as a 
solid, substantial citizen. He was born in Erie 



Such were the inducements that drew John 
F>oggs. when a young man. to abandon his home 
in Ireland, and seek a brighter lot in the West- 
ern Continent. He was a struggling, hard- 
working farmer after he settled near Erie. Pa., 
and of an intenselv religious cast <jf mind, as he 



Co.. Pa., in January. 1847. and is therefore just had been brought up in the faith of the old Cov- 

past the half-century mark. His parents were enanters. 

John and Martha (Blackwood) Boggs. who were Our subject lived in Erie County until he was 

both of Irish parentage, although a hundred or a strong lad of fifteen years, and grasped what- 

more vears ago we might find that their ances- ever educational advantages were offered in the 



248 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

common schools. He was a dutiful son, fulfill- of the machine hands, tending a wrought iron 
ing his duty to his aged father in every respect spike machine, until he entered the rolling-mills, 
and caring for him until tlie mmiber of his years where he worked until his death took place. His 
on earth were completed. Mr. Boggs came to wife, Mary, was a daughter of Daniel and Mary 
Lawrence County about 1872, where he has Bowden: she died in i8(;o, aged al)Out seventy 
made his home since. He chose for his partner years. The children born of this marriage who 
Mary Blackwood, whose parents, James and grew up to maturity were: John R., the subject 
Eliza Blackwood, were also born in Ireland. Mr. of this personal mention ; Marv, the wife of 
and Mrs. Boggs have rejoiced on the occasions James Lester; Sarah, the wife of William Bran- 
of the birth of three children: Ethel L. and Oli- nan; Margaret, the wife of James (lurnev; and 
ver B., and an infant son. The family belongs Sanniel, who resides in ()il Citw this .State, 
to the Reformed Presbyterian Church, one When our subject was five years old, his par- 
branch of which does not allow its members to ents moved to New Castle, and the remaining 
participate in political afTairs, and so, obeying years of his bo\-hood and voutli were [massed in 
the voice of the church, Mr. I'oggs has kept the town <;)f his jiresent residence. At the age of 
aloof from politics, and has taken no aggressive eleven years he went into the factorv to work at 
interest in the oft-recurring elections. 25 cents a day to help support the family; after a 

while his father became a little more independent 
and was able to send John to school, yet in the 
vacations he still continued his work in the fac- 
tory. His first employment there was in head- 

JOHN R. P( )TTER, alderman of the h'ifth ing nail kegs, advancing from that position to 

Ward of New Castle, and one of the cit\'s enter- that of feeder for the nail machines, continuing 

prising men, being an extensive dealer in real in that ]iosition for 'h\K: years, when he became 

estate, and an insurance agent, was born in boss nailer, and had charge of the wrought iron 

i83(), in Mercer township, Mercer Conntv, this nail machines until they were discontinued to 

.State, where his father lived at that time. make way for the wire nails. In 1877 he became 

Our subject's father. Alonzo H. I'otter. was interested in auctioneering, and being a |)r;ictieal 

born in Genesee County, New York .State, where salesman he opened a connnission-house, where 

his father Hiram was numbered among the rep- to-day he carries on a large business, the loca- 

resentative and progressive farmers. Alonzo tion being in the city of New Castle, opposite 

H. came to Mercer County in 1844, and followed the Diamond. During his connection with the 

the business of driving stage from New Castle manufacture of nails, in 1859, he moved to 

to Rochester, I'a., and to other points for several Youngstown, ( )liio, and worked there at his 

years, and then became a watchman at the trade until June, 1861, when he enlisted in the 

Brown. People & Co.'s mills for a number of 84th Reg. Ohio \'o\. Inf., but his oiTer of his 

\ears. Later on he secureil employment as one services was not accepted, for in the years pre- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



240 



vioiis he liad met with an accident, the ends of 
his fingers liaving been cut off his right hand 
by being caught against the grind-stone. But 
he was not to be discouraged by any such draw- 
backs, and determined to go to the front in some 
capacity or another, and possessing musical 
ability, being a member of the local band, and 
a good snare drunmier, lie was accepted as a 
member of the 54th Reg. Ohio \'ol. Inf.. hold- 
ing the position of musician, and serving until 



Castle, and to them have been given six chil- 
dren, namely: Harry, who is in the U. S. Rail- 
road Mail Service, working between Pittsburg 
Pa., and P.uffalo. X. Y. ; Charles G.. who is one 
of the leading jewelers and dealers in high grade 
silverware of Pittsburg, Pa.; Enmia, who mar- 
ried H. IJollard of Indiana Co.. Pa.: Cora M., 
the wife of C. B. Ransey of New Castle: Jennie 
.S., who lives at home with her parents: and Wil- 
lie, a student in the high-school. In addition to 



born another, Ralph, who died at the age of 
seven. 



September, 1861. When the band was dis- the above interesting group of children, was 
charged, he moved to Sharon, T.awrence Coun- 
ty, and worked as boss nailer twelve years, but 
has since then made his home in \ew Castle. 
In 1892, he was a|ii)ointed i)y Ciov. Patterson 
as alderman, and has by re-election been con- 
tinued in that office up to the present time. He 
has also served as city asses.sor three years, and 
is president of the board of assessors. He is a 
Republican to tiic back-bone, and is chairman 
of the County Committee. In whatever capaci- 
ties he has been employed or in whatever way 



Ll'illl'.R .\l. RICICI). the youngest of ten 
children, born to John C. and Phoebe A. (Idd- 
ings) Reed, was born on the farm in Shenango 
township, where he now resides, Feb. i, 1871. 
Being the youngest, it fell to his lot to remain 
at home with his father, and carry on the farm, 
he has served his fellow-townsmen, he has never after the latter was stricken with apoplexy, when 
lost sight of the trust placed in him. and has Luther was still only a youth. He was his fath- 
discharged the duties that came to him in a sim- er's right-hand man. caring for his personal 

wants, during the years he lingered, as well as 
taking upon himself the whole management of 
tiie farm. 1 le was the only one of his father's 
children, who has not been a school-teacher, but 
it was not because of lack of ability, but because 
his duty called him into other fields of activity. 
His school days ceased at the age of sixteen 
years, a year after his father's affliction. All his 
life has been spent on the homestead, wliicli he 
now owns and operates with the exception of 
a third of a year that he spent in the West, near 
the city of Galesburg. HI. llie portion of the 



pie, conscientious manner, never witji aiiv at- 
tempt for show or effect. He is one of whom 
New Castle may well be proud, as an upright, 
honest man, who has made his own way in life, 
and can look everyone in the face, confident of 
never having wilfully injured anyone. He has 
dealt (|uite extensively in real estate, and has a 
finely fitted office at No. 134 South Mill Street, 
and resides on Sutton Street. He is a member 
of the local G. A. R. Post. 

Mr. Potter married }kliss Hannah Floor, 
daughter of John and Margaret Floor of New 



250 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



homestead that fell to Luther comprises sixty- 
three acres of as fine land as lies within the 
boundaries of Lawrence County; it is peculiarly 
adapted to fruit-rasingf, antl the orchard planted 
by his grandfather, William Reed, never fails of 
a plentiful harvest. 

Our suljject's father was born in Shenango 
township, near the Center I'nited Presbyterian 
Church, May 3. 1826, and remained a resident 
of that township luitil his death, engaged in the 
pursuits of agriculture, in whicli lie was emi- 
nently successful. His death, which took place 
Jan. 28, 1893, was occasioned by a stroke of 
apoplexy which came upon him when plowing 
in the fields a number of years previous: the 
years intervening between the stroke and his 
final dissolution were passed in almost helpless- 
ness, his [personal wants being attended to for 
the most part by his son, Luther M. He was an 
energetic man, and although somewhat short in 
his stature he accomplished with his indomitable 
will and extraordinary perseverance much more 
than me of larger frame and more robust con- 
stitution. He was amlntious to leave his chil- 
dren well provided for, and in doing so he exert- 
ed himself more than he ought to have done, 
and may be said to have really sacrificed himself 
for his children. There A\as no one in the coun- 
ty who stood higher in public estimation than 
did ]\Tr. Reed, and his word was as good as his 
bond. So high an estimate was placed on him 
l)y his fellow-citizens, that favors are often ex- 
tended 10 his sons, because of their father's good 
name. His nuich-beloved wife, and hlejimeet 
through life, was Phoebe Ann Iddings, daugh- 
ter of Joseph and Hannah (Hoopes'l Iddings. 
The latter was a native of Chester Co., Pa., of 



Quaker stock, and descended from a sister of 
Sir Anthony Wayne; her father was Ezra 
Hoopes of Chester Co., Pa. Joseph Iddings 
was also born in Chester Co., Pa.; having re- 
ceived a good education when a boy, and having 
the benefits of a college course of training as a 
young man, he turned his attention to teaching, 
and was one of the first school-teachers in Law- 
rence County. He followed farming as an occu- 
pation in later )-ears. He reared the following 
children: Mary, who is eighty-four vears old ; 
Mirabel, deceased; Hannah, who married ^far- 
tin Reno, deceased, of Shenango township, 
Lawrence County; Sarah, who became the wife 
of Hugh A. McKee; Elizabeth, deceased, who 
married James Leonard of Lawrence County, 
and now of the State of ^Michigan; Ann, de- 
ceased; Lavina, who married James Davis of 
Lawrence County; and Phoebe A., the mother 
of our subject. To John C. Reed and Phoebe 
A. Iddings were given ten children, as follows: 
William E., whose personal history appears else- 
where; Joseph, who is livuig in Sharon, and 
practicing medicine; Charles A., a leading phy- 
sician of the city of New Castle, whose biog- 
raphy appears on another i^age ot tin's work: 
Hannah, deceased; Amia and Mary, twins, l)oth 
of whom are deceased; Sarah J., the wife of 
Richard ^Vright of Taylor township: Lovina, 
who married William H. Weinschenk of Shen- 
ango township, the narration of whose life may 
be found elsewhere in this Book v>\ I'iographies; 
John \\'., deceaseil ; and Luther M.. the subject 
of this sketch. Mrs. Reed, the widow of John 
C, makes her home with her daughter, Lovina. 
Mrs. William H. \\'einschenk. 

Tohn C. Reed was a son of William and Anna 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 2.-.1 

(Cameron) Reed. The latter is living to-day at of the war, after having once deserted and then 

the age of ninety-two years, and is surprisingly rejoined the army. 

active and vigorous both in botly and mind for William Reed, the grandfather of our subject, 
one of her advanced years; she has been granted was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in June, 1803. and 
the rare privilege of seeing a descendant in the came with his parents to Lawrence County in 
fifth generation, her grandchildren being in iiSo6. He learned the wheelwright's trade, and 
their turn grandparents. She was born in Ma- worked for a time in New Castle. In 1829. he 
honingtown, I-'cb. 10, 1805, and was a daughter bought a farm in Shenango township, on which 
of James and Betsey (Hendrickson) Cameron, there was a small clearing and log-cabin; here 
the latter a daughter of Dr. Hendrickson, the he followed his trade, and cleared his farm, 
first physician to settle in the county, coming which to-day is one of the very best in the coun- 
here in 1797 with two other families from Penns- ty; the soil of it is peculiarly adapted to fruit- 
ville, X. J. Indians were numerous about this growing, and it often results that his orchards 
region, and lletsey Hendrickson received a will be bearing when surrounding ones are bar- 
severe fright from one of them, when she was ren of fruit. He passed away in the very prime 
driving the cows home from their pasturing of his life, attaining only the age of forty years, 
ground; she was never sent alone on such an He was a son of Joiin and Margaret (Lutton) 
errand again. James Cameron was born at Reed, the latter a daughter of Ralph Lutton, 
Shirleysburg, Pa., and was a farmer by occupa- who married a Miss Martin. John Reed was 
tion ; he departed this life in Shenango township, born in Ireland, and upon coming to America 
near New Castle, at the age of sixty-six years, settled first in Zanesville, Ohio, from which lo- 
He was a son of James Cameron, Sr., who came cality he moved in 1806 to Lawrence County, 
to Mahoningtown to see if he would like the settling in Shenango township on the stream 
place for a residence; the country suiting him in now known as Snake Run; he, too, died at the 
every respect, he returned to Shirleysburg, sold age of forty years, while his wife Margaret lived 
his farm, and started for Mahoningtown with to be ninety-two years old. He was a weaver 
the ])roceeds from the sale, with the intention of in Ireland, and followed that trade in America 
purchasing each of his sons a farm. As time until he took up farming as a means of obtain- 
passed by, and no word was received from him, ing a livelihood, and securing an independence. 
in(|uiry was made along the route, which he was His father, Michael Reed, never left the Old 
sup])osed to have taken, with the result that his Country, but lived and died in the north of Ire- 
horse and saddle were found, but his body was land. 

never recovered, nur was there any record of Lutlur M. Reed was married in Xew Castle, 

him ever found, but it was supposed that he was l"cb. 18, 1891, to Lizzie McMillin, who was born 

murdered and robbed for the money he carried in New Castle, a daughter of J. Clark and Lydia 

in his saddle-bags. He was a soldier in the J. (Morrow) McMillin. Our subject's wife's 

Revolution and served honorablv till the close mother was born in Shenango township, and 



252 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTW 



was a daughter of Hugh and Margaret (Young) ALBERT B. WHEILDON. This enterpris- 

Morrow, the former a farmer throughout hfe, ing, wide-awake young man has acquired for 

living to the age of eighty-four years. J. Clark himself a prominent position in the business in- 

McMillin was born in Shenango township, Nov. terests of Ellwood City and Lawrence County, 

3, 1847, '^•"'d was a son of Joseph and Mary and is closely identified with the conmiercial life 

(Mouk) McMillin. the latter a native of West- of the city and its vicinitv as the manager and 

moreland Co., Pa., and daughter of Daniel superintendent of the Ellwood Lumber Co. He 

Mouk, who was a blacksmith b}- trade ami was born Dec. 5, 1868, in Mercer County, where 

reached the age of eighty years. Joseph Mc- his father, Jacob Wheildon, was a mechanic. 



Millin was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., in 
1814, and .died at the age of sixty-nine, iiis death 
resulting from a runaway accident. He was a 
farmer the most of his life, although he learned 
the tanner's trade early in life, but gave it up, as 
the employment was uncongenial to him. He 
was a son of John McMillin, who came fnjm 
near Philadelphia. J. Clark McMillin was 
reared in Shenango township, and when sixteen 



Our suliject is a busy man, and lack of proper 
opportunities prevented him from furnishing a 
biographx' in minute detail, so we will have to 
dismiss the subject of his ancestry and his father's 
life with the few foregoing remarks. 

The Ellwood Lumber Co. is ofificered as fol- 
lows: E. Carlton of Cleveland, Ohio, president; 
Louis tieller, Youngstovvn, C)hio, vice-presi- 
dent; L. Y. Phillips, secretary and treasurer; and 



years of age ran away from home, and enlisted Albert B. Wheildon, manager and snperinten- 



in Co. K, 30th Reg. Pa. \'ol. Inf., serving nine 
months until the close of the war, and taking 
part in the battles of Hatcher's Run, Petersburg, 
and Ft. Steadman. To Mr. and Mrs. Reed two 
children have been bom, as follows: Norma N.; 
and Nettie I. Mr. Reed is a Republican in his 
politics, and has served on the election board. 
He is a charter member of New Castle Lodge, 
No. 404, Knights of Pvthias. Mr. Reed has 



dent. The company, which manufactures lum- 
ber for contract woodwork, was established in 
1894, and the plant was built on a part of the 
Nye farm, located on Franklin and Highland 
Avenues, with a frontage of 208 feet on F'rank- 
lin Avenue, 205 on Highland Avenue, 295 feet 
on Railroad Street, and the same on the alley. 
On the same lot there is also a two-story dwell- 
ing house and ofifice. The mill is supplied with 



inherited many of the manl_\' qualities that so steam power, which is generated in a fifty horse- 



distinguished his worthy father, and is rapidly 
attaining a high place n the estmation of his 
fellow-citizens, as a conscientious, energetic 
young man, who chooses to walk in the path of 
integrity because he knows it to be the only 



power boiler, and harnessed for service in an 
engine to correspond; the machinery is like 
what is generally found in mills of the sort — 
machines for planing, moulding, resawing, etc. 
The mill employs five men and sometimes more, 



satisfactory method to win the true esteem of and since Mr. Wheildon assumed the manage- 
those with whom he has dealings in a business ment in 1896, the business has increased in vol- 
and also in a jnirely social way. ume to a surprising extent, not even warranted 




HENRY S BLATT, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 25.5 

by the large amount of building going on in where they seem to spring up during the night. 

Eilwood City. Ellvvood City, thanks to its projectors and to 

Mr. Wheildon's previous business experience the solid substantial type of its leading citizens, 
has fitted him for liis present position, as he be- has a permanent foundation in its conniiercial 
gan to deal in lumber when a young man, hav- interests. It is not a city that has seen its best 
ing charge of a mill in Mercer County, where days, but is one of the most thriving of all the 
he still owns some real estate. Associating him- cities of Western Pennsylvania. Among its 
self with T. J. Wright, he built several houses, foremost business men, who regard its future as 
which he sold to new residents, and cleared a undimmed by any chance or likelihood of retro- 
comfortable sum of money, He is a patriotic gression, is Henry S. Blatt, the subject of tJiis 
citizen of Ellvvood City, and a firm believer in biography, whose portrait appears opposite, 
the city's continued growth and prosperity, and Mr. Rlatt is now in the very jirime of middle 
as an evidence of his belief we need only point to life, as he was born Aug. 26, 1845, '" Erench 
jiis valuable real estate investments in building- Creek township, Mercer Co., T'a. Jonas P.latt, 
lot property, located in advantageous positions, his father, was a son of I'eter Blatt, who lived in 
He is a Republican and likes to discuss politics Snyder Co., Pa., for a number of years, and then 
when he has time to talk, but, to use a modern removed to Mercer County. Like many of the 
term, he is too much of a "hustler" to be looking early settlers, our subject's grandfather worked 
for an office to come his way. Mr. Wheildon at a trade, besides doing farm work, being a 
chose for his wife Lolla Marsteller, daughter of wagon-maker. After rearing his family, Peter 
James Marsteller of Eredonia, Mercer Co., Pa., Blatt died at sixty-seven years of age, his wife 
and they have four interesting children — Will- passing away to join those gone before at the 
iani Clarence, Elorence L.. Lillian, and Stanley age of seventy-two. ^trs. Blatt's maiden name 
Elwood. was Rachel Beidler. The children born to them 

were — Edwin, Daniel, Absalom, Catherine, 

— ►.^— » Peter, and Jonas. 

Jonas Pdatt was Jxjrn in Snyder County, 

HENRY S. BLATT. Business men, repre- where he learned the wagon-maker's trade, and 
senting every line of trade and many nianufac- after the family removed to Mercer County, car- 
turing interests have been drawn by the super- ried on an extensive business in Sandy Lake. His 
ior advantages offered and the bright prospects life was passed in uneventful toil on the home- 
of Eilwood City to locate within its limits, and to stead, as he alwavs found his duty cl(jse at 
invest heavily in its many and varied legitimate hand. He was an able, intelligent man, thorough- 
channels of trade and industry. It is seldom ly respected by his neighbors, and he might have 
that an eastern city is founded and developed filled more official positions than he did, had he 
in the space of a decade, while cities of mush- been willing to accept them; as it w-as, he was 
room growth are frequently found in the West content with being a school director and burgess 



256 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY 



t)f Sandy Lake borough. He married Anna 
(jrove, daughter of Abraham Grove, and four 
children were born to them — Rachel, Henry S., 
Catherine and Isabel. Mrs. Blatt was taken to 
her well-earned rest at the age of sixty-eight, and 
four years later she was followed by her hus- 
band. Mr. Blatt was a person of quiet tastes, 
and did not care for convivial gatherings, being 
a member of only one fraternal society, the I. O. 
O. F. The family, as might be imagined from 
• the seclusion and retirement of the home, was 
governed by strict observance of the rules of 
right living, the young people being surrounded 
by strong religious influences. Youth is tlie 
time to mold plastic minds, and the seed in this 
case fell on good ground, resulting in continued 
adherence to the Lutheran Church. 

In regard to one member of the family, Henry 
S. Blatt, his story begins with his boyhood days 
that were spent in the district school; the train- 
ing received there was followed up with a course 
of instruction at the New Lebanon Academy. 
His business career opens with the manufacture 
of carriages and wagons at Sandy Lake in 1863. 
Mr. Blatt continued in business in that place 
until 1 87 1, when he started a store, with the firm 
name of H. S. Blatt & Co., the company with a 
few changes being known now as J. J. lilatt & 
Co. The business having proven profitable and 
yielding of good returns, in 1889 he added to it 
a hardware business, having bought the stock of 
the Parker Hardware Co. 

In 1891, Mr. Blatt came to Elhvood City, and. 
associating himself with Capt. Abraham C. 
Cirove, built a handsome brick block and opened 
a large hardware store. The size of the stock 
necessitated building a warehouse, and this was 



not only done, but the firm made further ar- 
rangements to handle lumber. In ( )ctober, 
1 891, they suffered a severe loss by fire, and 
they dissolved partnership. Mr, Blatt, with his 
natural enterprise and good management, put 
up a temporary building, and was ready to 
transact his customary business inside of thirty 
days. The next year he built a large brick- 
block, 160x144 feet, three stories high; the 
ground floor is used for his hardware business 
and a drug store, the second floor for offices, 
and the third floor makes an excellent hall for 
large gatherings. 

Mr. Blatt deals in hardware, but his store also 
includes a stock of paints and oils of all grades. 
The lumber business is still carried on with rea- 
sonable success by Mr. Blatt. He is one of the 
chief promoters of Elvvood City's growth, and 
this fact is fully attested by his having bought 
and sold some 200 houses. He is still interested 
to a large extent in real estate, as he owns a 
number of houses and lots. He owns stock in 
the First National Bank of Elhvood, being its 
vice-president, and one of its directors. ( )ur 
subject has other lucrative investments in the 
Weldless Tube Mfg. Co., the Gas Co., and in the 
Iron Foundry. Varied as these ventures are, 
they are controlled with ease by the forceful, 
executive mind of Mr. Blatt. His home is on 
the corner of Seventh Street and Crescent Ave- 
nue, and it fully accords with its owner's pros- 
perity and good taste. 

Mr. Blatt chose for his life-companion Han- 
nah McClure, wliose parents were James and 
Hannah McClnre of Lake township, Mercer Co., 
Pa. Mrs. Blatt is a lady of much refinement, 
and is fitted in every respect to preside over the 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



251 



home. James J., tlic second son, is general 
manager of the J. J. Hlatt Co.'s hardware store at 
Sandy Lake, Mercer County. Charles H. is 
interested in Elhvood City and Sandy Lake, Pa. 
WilHam R. is a popular dry goods clerk of Ell- 
wood City. Catherine alone remains at home 
with the parents, for F"rank was called by death 
at the age of seventeen, just when a bright 
future was opening out before him. 

Henry S. Blatt has had little time to devote 
to office-holding, but he made an excellent 
school director, for he thoroughly appreciated 
the work of that position, and was alive to the 
importance of educational advantages. As jus- 
tice of the peace, he was a man of charitable 
judgment and correct decisions. During 1875- 
76, Mr. Blatt was in the State Legislature, ful- 
filling his obligations satisfactorily and return- 
ing at the expiration of liis term to jirivate life 
and to the demands of his busness. In view of 
his public spirit, Mr. I'.latt was eminently w-ell 
chosen to be burgess and councilman of EU- 
w-ood City. His social acquaintances arc num- 
bered by the score, and he is sure to find con- 
genial company in the circles where he holds a 
membership. He is a brother in Ellwixxl Lodge, 
No. 559, F. & .\. M. He was a charter mem- 
ber and past master of Mt. Royal Chapter, R. A. 
M., and is also a member of Mt. Calvarv Lodge, 
Knight Templars, and of Zenizcm Tem- 
ple of Erie, Pa. He is a menil)er of the .\. O. 
I'. W. of Sandy Lake, antl also of the Royal 
Templars of Tenii)crancc and K. of H. of the 
same place. Ho liad held offices in all these 
organizations, which shows the esteem in which 
he is held. Wherever Mr. Blatt goes, he is wel- 
comed as a royal good fellow. 



ANDREW F. WHIR, an honored resident 
of Shenango township, where he is engaged in 
carrying on farm operations four miles south 
of the city of New Castle, was born May 15. 
1849. '" Harmony, Butler Co. He is a son of 
Frederick and Elizabeth (Kepler) Weir. ( )ur 
subject's mother was born in Germany about 
1817, and passed to the green fields beyond the 
swelling flood to enjoy the welcome plaudit of 
"Well done, good and faithful servant, enter 
thou into the joy of thy Lord," when about 
forty-five years old. Frederick \\'eir was born 
in Wales about 1804, and came to this country 
when a young man in search of a fortune; he 
served in the Mexican War. and died March 25. 
1889. Of his first marriage with Elizabeth Kep- 
ler, five children were born as follows: Kathcr- 
ine, deceased: Elizabeth, the wife of Henn.- 
Herman of West Xew Castle — Katherine and 
Elizabeth were twins: Louise: Andrew F., the 
subject of this brief narration: and Mc^Iichael, 
who is living somewhere in the West. He was a 
second time married, his second wife being a 
Mrs. Holland, by whom he had one son, George, 
now a resident of Rochester, Pa. 

.Vndrew I'. Weir pas.sed the years of childhood 
and of youth until lie ha<l attained his majority 
in Harmony and Middle Lancaster, attending 
the district schools, and one term of high school 
at Zelienople, I'.utler County. At the age of 
twenty-one he married, and shortly after entered 
the employ t)f 1\. W . Cunningham in Xew Cas- 
tle, taking charge of that gentleman's home, 
attending to the garilcning, and a care of the 
grounds and stables; he remained with his em- 
ployer nineteen years, and by frugality and 
prudence, he saved during these years sufficient 



258 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



money to make him independent, and to enable 
him to purcliase in April, 1891, the Boiles' farm 
some four miles south of New Castle, compris- 
ing' about 100 acres of as fine farming' land as 
can be found anywhere in the township or covm- 
ty. One fact tbat speaks strong-ly in Mr. Weir's 
favor, as a man who wishes to be beholden 10 
no one, and as one who is able to pay as he 
goes, is that he paid the purchase money, 
amounting to $7,400 in cash. He has expended 
half as nuich more in making necessary im- 
provements, not counting in this his own labor 
and time. Much of the property was still en- 
cumbered with the original stumps that 
remained from clearing the land, and the dififer- 
ent fields were in no fit condition for cultivation. 
Ravines have been filled, drains put in, stumps 
grubbed out, and stones removed, and many 
other minor improvements made until now the 
owner may well take pride in his fine estate. 
Not the least notable feature of the farm are the 
four springs, and especially the one near the 
house, which supplies the best of cold spring 
water for all domestic purposes. The buildings 
are large, connnodious and well-appointed in 
every particular; about the dwelling is a grove, 
which furnishes in the summer a cool and com- 
fortable retreat in the noon hour, so grateful to 
the farm-laborers. Mr. Wier is now giving his 
attention chiefly to dairy-farming, selling the 
product of about twenty cows. 

Mr. Weir was married in Zelienople, Butler 
Co., Pa., May 7, 1872, to Julia A. Zigler, who 
was born in Harmony, a daughter of Andrew 
and Debora (Moyer) Zigler. Mrs. Weir's mother 
was a daughter of Samuel and Julia (Rice) 
Moyer, the former a farmer, who lived to attain 



the age of eighty-nine years. Andrew Zigler, a 
son of Andrew Zigler, Sr., was a carpenter by 
trade. The union of Mr. Weir and his wife was 
I)roductive of two children; Sarah Tillie, and 
Mary Louise. Sarah Tillie married I'tobert Staf- 
ford (if New Castle, and they are the parents of 
two children — Julia May, and Nellie Darling. 
Mary Louise became the wife of Alexander M. 
Ifouk of Shenango township, and they have two 
children — I^illie May, and Florence Edna. Mr. 
and Mrs. Weir are highly esteemed in their 
neighborhood and township, and are entitled to 
be classed among the best citizens. They are 
the friends of good order and system, and con- 
tributing their portion toward the building up 
of the community, morally, socially, and intel- 
lectually. Mr. Weir is greatly respected by his 
fellow-citizens for his straightforward Ijusiness 
methods, and excellent jiersonal traits of char- 
acter. 



HARVEY C. HAMMOND, yard conductor 
for the Pennsylvania R. R., residing at No. 258 
West North Street, New Castle, was born in the 
neighboring county of Beaver, near Freedom, 
Oct. II, 1857. His boyhood days were spent in 
Beaver County until his tenth year, when his 
parents moved to New Castle, where he con- 
tinued to attend school for about four more 
years. When a boy he began a railroad life, first 
carrying water on the gravel train, and then on 
the section. He was very strong and well-built 
for his age, and it was not long before he was 
doing a full dav's work as a laborer on the sec- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



259 



tion. After three or four years on the section 
gang, he became a brakeman, and continued as 
such until 1885, since which time he lias held the 
position of yard-conductor with proficiency. 

His mother, \ancy (Xealey) Hammond, was 
born in Beaver County, and was a daughter of 
John and Betsey (Xealey) Nealey. Grandma 
Nealey possessed a remarkable memory for 
names and dates, and for facts she had heard or 
come across in her reading; this happy faculty 
was preser\ed to an extreme old age, and proved 
of service to her in more than one instance in 
recalling bygone events. John Xealey, a farmer 
by choice of occupation, was an esquire for a 
number of years; his death occurred in 1868, 
when aged eighty years. Our subject's father, 
James Hammond, was born in Allegheny Coun- 
ty, at Woods Run, Pittsburg; he was a farmer, 
and lived to be seventy-six years old. In 1866, 
he began working for the Pennsylvania R. R. in 
the yarils at Lawrence Junction, living in the 
meanwhile in Mahoningtown. He was in tin- 
War of the Rebellion as a member of Co. I, 
140th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., and saw abundant 
service in the battles of Bull Run, Gettysburg, 
etc.. and other engagements in which the Army 
of the Potomac was numbered among the parti- 
cipants. He was a son of William Hammond, 
who was born in Ireland. Ten children made 
up the parental family, as follows: John, a yard 
conductor for the Pennsylvania R. R.; Grace, 
deceased: James, deceased; William, deceased: 
Harvey C. our subject; Sadie, the wife of John 
Cain, a brakeman on the Pennsylvania R. R.; 
Susan, the wife of John Jones, a painter; Xora, 
the wife of Charles Davis, a car inspector for the 
Pennsylvania R. R.'s lines; and Joseph, de- 



ceased. Grace, James, and William died in 
childhood. 

Harvey C. Hammond was married in Xew 
Castle, in May, 1880. to Hattie Shira, a native of 
Butler County, and a daughter of William and 
Margaret Shira. William Shira is a carpenter 
and contractor of Croton. Mr. and Mrs. Ham- 
mond have been l)lessed with five children, 
namely : James B., who is in the employ of J. C. 
I'ulkerson, a coal dealer of Xew Castle; Will- 
iam: Harvey; Carl L.; and X'ancy Margaret. 
Mrs. Hammond is a member of the M. E. 
Church. Our subject is a Republican in his 
politics, and socially is a member of Protected 
Home Circle, New Castle Lodge, Xo. 5. and 
Knights of Pythias, Western Star Lodge, Xo. 
160. 



HOSEA H. SWISHER, a conductor on the 
Western Xew York & Pittsburg R. R., residing 
at No. 210 Pittsburg Street, New Castle, this 
county, was born in North Beaver township, this 
county, Feb. 18, 1843, ^nd is a son of John K. 
and Martha E. (McClure) Swisher. Ilosea's 
mother, who was a daughter of James McClure 
and of Scotch descent, died when he was less 
than a year old. John K. Swisher was a son of 
Jacob Swisher; he followed the occupation of 
a farmer all the years of his life that were spent 
in active labor, and died in 1865. aged sixty-six 
years. He was one of the first county commis- 
sioners of Lawrence County, after its organiza- 
tion as a county, and held office three years. 

Of a family of six boys and three girls born 
to his parents, five of whom now survive, Hosea 



200 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



H. was the eightli in order of birth. His edu- years as brakeman, and in 1894 was made yard 

cation was secured in the district schools of conductor, a position he is acceptably filling at 

Bethel, North Beaver township, and his early the present time. Harry was married June 2},, 

life up to the age of twenty-five was spent on 1896, at Jamestown, N. Y., to Clara Carl, daugh- 

tlie farm. The discovery of the extensive oil- ter of John and Kate (Crum) Carl; they have 

fields of Pennsylvania and Ohio occurred about one child, Ruth E., born Sept. 3, 1897; John Carl 

this time, and our subject enlisted his interest in is a conductor on the P. & W. R. R. All the 

the work, and spent two years drilling oil-wells members of the family are members of the Ep- 

at Island Run. On his return to his native worth M. E. Church. In politics, both Mr. 



place, he labored on the home farm for one sum- 
mer, and then Iiecame the proprietor of a store 
at Mt. Jackson for two years, after which he 
moved to Mahoningtown, and worked on the 
railroad one year, and then for one year was em- 
ployed in the quarries of Green, Marquis & 
Johnson. It had been his desire for quite a 
period hack to become a trainman, for a pros- 
pect of steady advancement is offered such as 
is not found in every employment. He at last 
secured a place on the Beaver Valley R. R. as a 
brakeman, and was soon promoted to the posi- 
tion of conductor, and for thirteen years was on 
the company's pay-rcjlls in that capacity. For 
the past fifteen years he has been in the service 
of the W. N. Y. & I'. R. R. In point of years 
of service he is one of the oldest trainmen in the 
city of New Castle. 

Mr. Swisher assumed the obligations of the 
marriage compact at Mt. Jackson, uniting him- 
self with Olive N. Officer, daughter of John and 
Eliza (Nesbit) Officer. Of this marriage there 



Swisher and his son are Republicans. Our sub- 
ject is a member of the Western Star Lodge, 
No. 160, K. of P.; is also a member of the A. P. 
A.; and of the Junior Order of United American 
Mechanics, of which he is counselor. Harry 
Swisher is a member of the Brotherhood of Rail- 
road Trainmen, J. H. Douglas Lodge, No. 222; 
Knights of the Maccabees, Lawrence Tent, No. 
loi; and of the Junior Order of United Amer- 
ican Mechanics. 



THE NEW CASTLE NEWS is a striking 
ilustration of what persistent and well-directed 
effort will accomplish in furthering an enter- 
prise. With a modest beginning it has devel- 
oped from year to year until the publication has 
become one of the most substantial in Western 
Pennsylvania. No effort has been spared to 



make the paper popular with the people, and 
was born one son in Mahoningtown, Harry D., that it has wonderfully succeeded is attested by 
who attended the schools of .that place in his the circulation books. 



boyhood. Harry's first business venture was in 
keeping a cigar and tobacco store: he ran it one 
year, and then secured a position on the W. N. 
^'. & P. R. R., f(ir which company he served two 



A daily and weekly are published — the daily 
has a very extensive circulation in the city, 
while the weekly goes iiitu nearly every house- 
hold in tlie county. 




REV- JOHN S DICE 




MRS. MARGARET McQUIGG DICE. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 2r,5 

The Daily News \vas established seventeen shares finally were re-bought bv Mr. Troadwell, 
years ago. It was the outcome of the Index, a and to-day the stock of The Xews Companv is 
weekly newspaper published in New Castle. The owned entirely by the estate of George E. Tread- 
Index was founded by W. J. Rannan and W. P. well, and the paper is controlled by Mrs. G. E. 
Miller. The reason for founding the Index was Treadwell. Fred L. Rentz is now manager of 
probably the same reason which actuates most The Xews. 

newspaper publishers — to obtain gold, silver and The paper has been a party to some heated 
coin of the realm. The reason assigned by those controversies. It has won and lost some polit- 
publishers was "for the promotion of the cause of ical fights. It has taken its position on all (|ues- 
temperance." However, much like other "blufTs" tions witii one motive alone and that motive has 
as this was, it is nevertheless true that The Xews been "Right." If it is true that every man has 
has adhered closer to the '"cause of temperance" his price it is cc|ually true that the price has 
than ninety-nine out of one hundred newspapers never been high enough to loucJi the editor- 
posing as public benefactors. It has never pub- ship of The Xews. It is the writer's opinion that 
lished an advertisement of intoxicating liquor no price could ever have influenced the control- 
during the seventeen years of its existence. Ex- Icrs of The Xews. 
Register and Recorder J. T. Gleason. J. Edd 

Leslie, Charles B. Power and George \V. Shaw, —^m-^-»..^m. 

present editor of The Xews, J. P. Reynolds. 

were all connected with The Xews. as editors, RE\'. JOHX S. DICE, the beloved and hon- 
publishcrs, and managers during its infancy, ored pastor of the P.ethel L'nited Presbyterian 
The two last-named gentlemen were among Church of North Beaver township, was born in 
those instrumental in starting The Daily City Poland, Ohio, Nov. 12, 1844. He sprang from 
Xews, as it was then called. It was a publica- an honored ancestry, his parents being George 
tion separate from the weekly Index, and was and Catherine A. (Phillips) Dice, and his grand- 
started (jn its mission (by tjie way. tlie iniblishers parents Jolm and Mary (Spargo) Dice, 
of The Daily City News purposed filling "a long John Dice, the grandfather, was of German 
felt want") in the fall of 1880. The Index and birth, coming from Saxony, while the grand- 
The Daily City Xews joined hands and became mother had English blood in her veins. John 
The Xews, daily and weekly editions, wlion the Dice came to America and settled in Washing- 
wintry days came. tin Co., Pa. He was for years a successful and 

The late George E. Treadwell became first leading farmer, finally retiring, and died at the 

part owner, and finally, when ill health com- age of eighty-four. His wife attained the ad- 

pelled W. J. Bannan to go West, full owner of vanced age of seventy-seven years. The chil- 

the paper. He organized a stock company dren born of this union were: John, born in 

known as The News Company, giving his em- 1800; Betsey, 1802: Joseph. 1804: George, 1806; 

ployees shares of stock. These employees" Polly, 1808; Abraham, 1810; Jacob, 1812; Henry, 



266 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, I A WHENCE COUNTY. 

1814; Lydia, 1816; James, 1818; Matthew, 1820; then became a student in the Allegheny Theo- 

and Eli, 1823. logical Seminary, and graduated in 1873. -He 

George Dice, the father of Rev. John S., was had been licensed to preach the previous year, 

the fourth child of that remarkable family, and and was formally ordained as a minister of the 

was born in Washington Co., Pa. He early in gospel, April 21, 1874. His first call was to 

life learned the shoemaker's trade, but later on the church of which he is to-day the pastor. A 

became a farmer. His first farm was near Po- service of a quarter of a century in this field has 

land, Ohio, then he bought a farm and engaged so identified the Rev. Mr. Dice with his charge 

in agricultural pursuits in Crawford Co., Pa., that a few words in regard to the history of the 

and finally moved to a farm he purchased near church would not be amiss at this point. 

New Wilmington, Pa., where his death took The Bethel L'nited Presbyterian Church was 

place at the age of seventy-six. His wife, the founded in 1797 or '98, and was known as the 

mother of our subject, was in many ways a no- Seceders church; it was later known more famil- 

table woman. She was a daughter of James and iarly to residents of this part of the county as 

Margaret (Renfrew) Phillips. Margaret Ren- the Little Beaver Church, and was located three 

frew was a daughter of a Scottish nobleman of miles south of its present site, near the Samuel 

the highest rank. Her marriage out of her posi- Taylor farm. The Rev. James Duncan was the 

tion in life for a time caused an estrangement first regular pastor, being installed and ordained 

between herself and her parents, but later on her in 1800, and he remained four years. Up to 

family, becoming aware of the true worth of the 1804 services had been mainly held in a tent; in 

man she loved, forgave her freely. Catherine A. that year the first church building was erected. 

(Phillips) Dice attained the age of seventy-seven It was of round logs, 18x20 feet on the ground, 

years. She bore to her husband a family no less and stood where the present structure is located, 

worthy of notice than that of which he himself In 1816 the old log church was enlarged. The 

had been a member. The children were: Ters- first frame edifice was constructed in 1836 or '};]■. 

hand Renfrew, born July 31, 1831; Mary Jane, this building was 44x56 feet in dimensions and 

Oct. 23, 1833; George Warner, Nov. 19, 1834; answered all demands until the present church 

a son, Sept. 6, 1836; Lydia Eliza, Nov. 22, 1837; home, 40.X60 feet, took its place Sept. 22, 1870. 

Jeannette, Feb. 12, 1840; James Phillips, Jan. That the twenty-five years, during which the 

31, 1842; John Smith, our subject, Nov. 12, Rev. Mr. Dice has lab(jred in his Master's vine- 

1844; William Henry, March 16, 1847; Alice yard, has been productive of the greatest possi- 

Henrietta, Nov. 9, 1849; a"d Orris Fowler, May l>k- amount of goixl to the church and the com- 

6, 1852. inunity at large cannot be doul)te<l. A man of 

John Smith Dice first of all received a careful more than ordinary ability as an evangelist, of 

home training. He next prepared for and en- warm heart, and of deep Christian fervor and 

tared the Westminster College of New Wilming- convictions, he is the friend of all. In times of 

ton, and was graduated in the Class of 1869. He trouble and deep distress his heart and sympathy 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



267 



are known to the community. On joyful occa- JAMES RAMSEY ])A\'IDSOX, lately (le- 
sions, no one adds more to the pleasant hour, ceased, was a prominent contract*ir and builder 
His piety is undoubted. lie is withal a broad- of Xew Castle. Pa., but was leading a retired life 
minded man, and alive to human feelings and the last few years preceding his death. He was 
interests. When he came here, the flock num- born in North Beaver township, Lawrence Co., 
bered eighty-four souls, and now there are near- Pa., Nov. i, 1818. antl received his early mental 
ly two hundred members. As a leader, a teach- training in the ciMim-.ou schools of his native 
er, and an expounder of true Christian princi- place, and after completing the course of study 



pies, he has succeeded beyond the shadow of a 
doubt. His home, which he built in 1878 on a 
ten-acre plot, which he bought from the J. R- 
Hayes farm, is a model of beauty and good taste: 
surrounded as it is by shrubbery, flowers, and 
green lawns, it is indeed a place good to live in. 
His esteemed wife, Alargaret, who was a daugh- 
ter of Charles and Margaret McQuigg of Alle- 
gheny City, Pa., has borne him four children: 
Charles Lylc, now in college ; Alice Bovard, now 
a student in the Allegheny High School; James 
Renfrew; and Margaret McQuigg. 

In his lovely home, in the midst of his family, 
and the many near and dear ones, whom Mr. 
Dice's life-work has drawn to him, the honored 
pastor lives a calm and peaceful life. Apart 
from those elements which so often harrass and 
worry, with his life-work clearly marked out 
ahead, and a clean record of a life well-spent 
behind, the Rev. John S. Dice is a happy man 



mapped out for the youth of the district, which 
e<lucation, although considered am|)ly sufficient 
for those carlv days, would be thought sadly 
lacking for the needs of the i)resent time, he 
learned the carpenter's and builder's trade, 
which he successfully folldwed until 1861, when 
he turned his attenti(jn to the manufacture of 
lumber for ten years. In his day he was con- 
sidered a very competent and skilled workman. 
He helped construct the first buildings in what 
is known as West New Castle, and also did work 
on the ( >ld Stone Corner. Afterwards he 
worked at his trade in Pittsburg, being engaged 
on the old Cathedral, and spent a munbcr of 
\ears in the employ of I'.rown, the Coal King. 
Machine work in the ])re])aration of building 
material was unknown in those times, and as all 
tlie work was done by hand, inucli lal)or was 
re(|uired. .Mr. Davidson jokingly remarked to a 
friend, when asked how much work lie liad 



in the fullest sense of the word. To those of his accomplished: "( )li, I ])lancd the Allcj. 



many acquaintances, who have learned to love 
him and respect his noble worth, the likeness of 



Mountains into the Atlantic Ocean." 

( )ur subject was a son of Ca])t. Janus David- 



him that appears on a page in proximity, will son, who was horn Feb. i,^. 1786, in Ireland, it 

appeal with far more than passing interest. Mrs. is su])posed in the northern part, 'riie father of 

Dice also has a large circle of warm and inti- Ca|)t. James, and grandfather of James Ramsey 

mate friends, and it is with pleasure that we also Davidson, was William Davidson, who was horn 

publish her portrait as a conipanion picture to in Ireland, and who married a widow, }^lary 

that of her husband's. Ramsey (whose maiden name was Ramse\ ), 



268 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



who had two children liy a former marriage, their surprise found it sleeping, as if nothing at 
Thomas and Barbara, who died in infancy, all had occurred. As they had previously nar- 
Williani Davidson's father lia\-ing died at the old rowly escaped drowning, the mother remarked 
home in Ireland, William, as the eklest son, that that child surely was not born to be cither 
assumed the place of head of the familv. and. in drowned or hanged. William Davidson depart- 
company with his widowed mother, his wife and ed this life, Aug. 30, 1826. aged sixty-eight 
two children, James and Rosamia, his sisters, years; his wife i^assed awav I'eb, 10, 1 831, 
L\dia, Sally. Alolly, Peggy. Esther, and his two aged seventy-four years. ( )ne liranch of the 
brothers. James and Robert, came to America, Davidson family went South, and the other 
settling first in Redstone, near Carlisle, l^a. West, and as a distinctive feature in both branch- 
After living in that locality a few years. William es will lie found the names of James, William, 
with his family proceeded "out West" to Mc- Robert, and Samuel. (len. Davidson, who was 
Keesport. Pa., but their stay in that section was killed in the battle (jf the Cowpens during the 
not protracted to any extent, and in April, 1794, Revolution, came from the same section of 
they removed to the old homestead site, then Pennsylvania. 

located in Beaver County, but now a part of Capt. James Davidson was lirought to this 
Lawrence Count)'. One of the interesting as country when cjuite young, and followed agri- 
well as thrilling incidents of the journey came tu cultur;d pursuits from the first. He was a prom- 
pass in this manner: They came on as far as inent and leading character among his fellow- 
Beaver, where they rested a short time witli associates: politically he was an Abolitionist. 
William's sister. Lydia Alexander: from there to and held several town ofifices. At the time of the 
their newly chosen home, they made the journe\- War with the liritish in 1812, Mr. Davidson was 
in a day. arriving at their destination at night- captain of a company: when he returned home 
fall. The father led one horse, across whose back he raised a conii)an\- nf \iilunteers, and was 
was adjusted a wallet, the ends of which con- later accorded the title and rank of major. Be- 
tained the two little ones. Elizabeth and Alary: sides farming, he also occupied himself in sur- 
in addition the household bedding and other veving. In his religious belief he was a Seceder. 
necessary domestic articles were heaped in a and then a I'nited Presbyterian. An Abolition- 
pack on the animal's back. The mother rode ist in his sympathies, his support was invariably 
the second horse, and carried in her arms the six given to the Whig party, until its disruption and 
weeks okl infant, Lydia. The two older children assimilation into the Republican party, to which 
walked and drove a little cow. ^\'llile cross- ])arty from then on he gave full allegiance. His 
ing Rock's Ridge, the horse, ridden by the death took place Sept. 12, 1856, aged seventy 
mother, stumbled, throwing her over its head, years, six months and twenty-nine days. His 
and she threw the infant ahead of her. Inill of wife. Elizabeth Houston, whom he married Dec. 
apprehension and dire misgivings, the parents 4. 1810. died in her seventy-fifth year, Feb. 2^, 
hastened to the spot where the babe lay. and io 1864. William I'indley Davidson, the eldest of 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



2G!) 



the six children born to our siiljject"s parents, 
was born Feb. 26, 1812, was united in marriage 
with Harriet Newell Dungan, native of North 
Beaver township, this county, in the month of 
I'"el)ruary, 1842, and (hed Nov. 16, 1873. Twelve 
cliihlrcn resulted from this union, as follows: 
Elizabeth Jane, born July 17, 1843: James 
Franklin, Sept. 6, 1844; Thomas Dungan, April, 
1846; Joseph; Robert Stephen, March 7, 1850; 
Deborah; Margaret, March 17, 1854; Mary, 
April 20, 1856; Harriet, April 21, 1858; William 
Albert, Aug. 16, i860; John Charles, June, 1863; 
and Samantha, 1865. Jane, the eldest daughter 
of Capt. Davidson, was born in 1813, and died in 
September, 1895. Thomas Houston, the second 
son, died in February, 1890. He took for his 
partner Anna Mehard, who still survives him; 

seven children blessed this union, as follows — -«».^*» 

Tillie, James, Marguerite, Elizabeth, William, 

Samuel and Thomas, who died in infancy. JOHN W. TAYLOR, the superintendent of 

Maria, the next in order of birth, was born June the New Castle W'atcr Company, was born in 



tion. On Feb. 28, 1872, he was united in mar- 
riage with Elizabeth Leonard, daughter of Al- 
vah and Isabel (Allsworth) Leonard of Moravia, 
Pa. Two children resulted from this union: 
Elizabeth Bell, born Nov. 28, 1872; and Mary 
Dell, born Nov. i, 1873. Both young ladies arc 
graduates of the New Castle High School, IMiss 
Elizabeth being valedictorian in the Class of 
1891, and ]Miss Dell graduating in the Class of 
1893. After spending three years in Kentucky, 
where the two daughters were born, .Mr. David- 
son and family moved to their Locust Hill 
home, where the mother and daughters reside. 
Mr. Davidson was a member of the United 
Presbyterian Church his entire life, which closed 
Feb. 22, 1893. 



19, 1817, was married May 25, 1847, to James 
McAnlis, a native of Ireland, and departed this 
life Sept. 3, 1 881. Their three sons were as fol- 
lows: James Davidson, born March 17, 1848; 
John Gilmore, Dec. 2"^, 1849; and William Kirk- 
patrick. May i, 1856. Then comes James R., 
the subject of this sketch, and after him Samuel 
Houston. The latter married Harriet McClel- 
land, and gathered about his fireside a family of 
eight children: James Albert; Emily, deceased; 
Robert; William; Mary; Lizzie, deceased; Hat- 
tie; and Ella. Samuel H. Davidson died Feb. 

20, 1888. 

Our subject in his political affiliations was a 
stanch and unyielding Republican, but was 
never an aspirant for office of whatever descrip- 



Pittsburg, Pa., :March 26, 1828. His boyhood 
years were spent in Brownsville, Pa., and the 
only thing that distinguished him particularly 
from his associates in school and out of school, 
engaged in pastimes or work, was his liking for 
machinery, which amounted well-nigh to a fas- 
cination. At the age of eighteen years he took 
up the trade of a machinist, spending two years 
in Brownsville, and finishing his apprenticeship 
in the city of Pittsburg. He then went West 
and was a steamboat engineer on the Mississippi 
and Ohio Rivers until 1853, when he returned 
to his native State and located in New Castle. 
He followed his trade in the large mills of the 
city until 1881, and since that time has been su- 
perintendent of tlie New Castle Water Works, 



270 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 

the year 1881 marking the cstabUshnient of the the fact. The New Castle M. E. Church inclv:des 
present plant. He is a thorough mechanic and Mr. Taylor and family among its very regular 
a competent engineer. • worshippers. In 1856, Mr. Taylor married 
Mr. Taylor is a son of John and Mary Elizabeth Smitli, daughter of Thomas and Chris- 
(Walker) Taylor. Our subject's father was born tiana (Luper) Smith. Thomas Smith came from 
near Washington, D. C, where he grew to man- Meadville, Pa., in 1830, to New Castle, where 
hood and married his wife, who was a native of he engaged in agricultural pursuits and died at 
Wilmington, Delaware. They crossed the mnun- the age of sixty; his wife lived to be eighty-five 
tains in 1S13, and settled in Brownsville, Pa., years old. Eight children were born to them: 
where Air. Taylor worked in a paper mill, having Ann (\'ogan); Daniel; Isabella (Harlan): John; 
mastered his trade before removing from his Porter R.; Elizabeth (Taylor); Martha (Sim- 
native place. After a few years he moved to mons); and William. The union of our subject 
Pittsburg, where he made his home a number and his inestimable wife has resulted in three 
of years; subseciuentlv he secured a financial in- children: John W.. Jr.; Isabel H.; and William E. 
terest in a paper mill at Brownsville, and so re- 
turned to that place, and continued in business — -^■>' » 

there until com])elled to retire on account of the 

growing infirmity of old age. He accordingly WILLIAM F. DOUDS, deputy sheriff of 

disposed of whatever interests as would prevent Lawrence Co., Pa., residing in New Castle, was 

him from enjoying a calm and untroubled old born in Centerville, Butler Co., this State, Nov. 

age, and passed the remain<ler of his life in New 8. 1832, and is a son of John and Sarah (Gil- 

'Castle, dying there at the age of seventy-eight more) Douds. 

years. He was an old-line Whig and then a Re- Our subject's grandfather was liorn in the 
publican in his political attachments. The fam- northern part of Ireland, and emigrated to 
ilv were attendants of the ISI. E. Church. Eight America, settling first in Maryland, and then in 
children were born to our subject's parents, as Pennsylvania. John Douils, his son, was born 
follows: Sarah A. (Davis); Elizabeth (Tilton); in l*"ranklin Co., Pa., and learned the black- 
lane (Crowell); Harriet (Coburn); Thomas; smith's trade by serving an apprenticeship, and 
[ohn W., our subject: Alary (Xynn) ; and \\'ill- later devoted his whole life to edge-tool making, 
i.ini E. becoming an expert in that line of work. In 
Our subject is a member of the Mahoning 1844 he came to New Castle, and went into busi- 
Lodge, No. 243, E. & A. M.; Shenango Lodge, ness for himself, putting in a trip-hammer, and 
No. 19=^, I. O. O. F. ; Lawrence Encampment, doing very nice and finished work. He was a 
No. 86: A. O. \3. W. ; and R. T. of T., Free Will very hard-working man, and broke down his ex- 
Council, No. 29. He has acted as treasurer of ceptionaly strong and vigorous constitution, and 
the Shenango Lodge for twenty-six years. In died at the age of sixty-seven; his wife lived to 
his politics, he is a Republican, and proud of be eighty-two years old. It is worthy of men- 





DAVID C. MARSHALL. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



273 



tion lure that his father was a charcoal-burner 
hy trade, and our subject's father accordingly 
burned the charcoal which he used exclusively 
for heating the metal he worked. He was a 
Democrat and then a Republican in politics. 
His children who grew up were: Elinor; David; 
Hugh; Wiliam P.; George; and Perry. 

William P. Douds served an apprenticeship in 
the Lawrence Foundry as a moulder, and 
worked there thirty-three years, and was en- 
gaged in that work when he w'as elected sheriff 
of Lawrence Comity in 1882, and filled that 
office with eminent satisfaction; since 1886 he 
served as deputy sheriff, a position he now holds. 

He married Margaret Davis, daughter of 
Archibald Davis. She died in 1865 ''' ^'^^ age 
of thirty-four, leaving two children. Agnes H. 
married Thomas P. Kennedy, and has a family 
of two children — John and Elinor. John W. 
died at the age of seventeen. In the late war 
Mr. Douds enlisted in 1863, '''' ^O- ^> 55tli ^'^fg- 
Pa. Vol. Inf., for three months service. He 
owns real estate in the town. 



DAVID C. MARSHALL, a highly esteemed 
citizen of Wayne township, who is practically re- 
tired from his occupation of farming, and is liv- 
ing on his estate near Chewton, was born in 
Lawrence County, in Little Beaver township, 
December 20, 1815 . His parents were John and 
Elizabeth (Clark) Marshall, and his grand- 
parents were Hugh and Hannah Marshall. 

Hugh Marshall was born in northern Ireland, 
and with his wife and children started out to 
make a home in the new coimtry tliat offered 



such attractions to them. They stopped at Pitts- 
burg, and in company with a Mr. Crawford, Mr. 
Marshall set out for what is now Big Beaver 
township. They made a small clearing, but were 
hindered by the Indians to a great extent and 
made little progress until AN'illiam Penn pur- 
chased the territory of the red men, and peace 
was established between the wild denizen of the 
forest and the advancing heralds of civilization. 
There were four sons in the family, and when 
Mr. Marshall died he left the task of carrying on 
his work to his eldest son, John. 
. In time John Marshall became the owner of 
400 acres of land, and gave to each of his sons 
a good farm of large dimensions. He was a stir- 
ring, hard-working pioneer, and brought about 
all the increase in his worldly possessions by his 
own efforts. He lived to the age of seventy-five, 
while his wife was seventy-eight when she was 
called to lay down her earthly burden and enter 
into rest. Their children were; David C ; 
John; Marvin, who lives on the old farm; Mar- 
garet; and Hugh James. Mr. Marshall during 
the War of 181 2 was a private, stationed at Port 
Erie. 

David C. Marshall spent his boyhood and 
youth at home, and on attaining his majority 
bought the Robertson farm of 104 acres, a 
greater portion of which he cleared in the sub- 
seciuent years of his occupancy. In 1857, he 
built a home on it, and gradually gave a spirit of 
thrift and i)rosperity to the whole place, adding 
extensive barns in 1873. Mr. Marshall had had 
large interests in sheep-raising, but of recent 
vears, because of the unprofitableness of that in- 
dustry, he has paid more attention to dairying, 
and to grain producing. At the present time, 



274 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



because of the weight of his years, he leases the 
farm to responsible parties, but still lives in the 
house that he built there. 

Mrs. JNIarshall was once ^Margaret Davidson, 
anil her father was a native of Ireland. She was 
born in Beaver Co., Pa., July i, ]8i6, and died 
July 5, 1895. r)ur sulijectV children are as fol- 
lows: Elizabeth Jane, who is housekeeper for 
her father, and has devoted herself to the care 
of her parents in their last years; John is spoken 
of elsewhere in this volume; Sarah [Margaret 
married I. T. Spangler and is demised; Andrew- 
died at the age of six; ^^'illiam Hillis is treated 
under a sketch bearing his name as the title; 
Mary M.; and Rachel Xannie, who died in girl- 
hood. In the earlier davs of political parties, 
Mr. Marshall was a \\'hig. but ever since the 
stirring campaign that put .\braham Lincoln in 
the President's chair, he has been a Republican. 
He has held various offices of trust in the town- 
ship, and is a strong, virile character. He takes 
a great interest in educati(.inal matters, anil 
considers it the duty of every community to look 
after the vounger members, who in time will fol- 
low in the footsteps of those wdio are passing 
away. It is scarcely necessary to say that this 
upright man and good citizen is receiving his 
just reward in the a]ipreciation of his many 
friends and neighbors. In illustrating this Pook 
of Biographies, the publishers have liniiteil them- 
selves to presenting only the portraits of lead- 
ing citizens who are representative of some sec- 
tion or of some distinct walk in life, ^\'ith this 
in view, we have presented Mr. Marshall's like- 
ness on a preceding page, for he holds an indis- 
putable ]30sition of prominence among the suc- 
cessful agriculturalists of Wayne township. 



SAML'KL FtjLTZ, deceased, e.x-president of 
the Plrst National Bank of New Castle, was 
l)orn in I>utler Co., Pa., in 1830. and was a son 
of Norbert I'oltz, who was born in Strausburg, 
(iermany, Nov. 4, 1774, and died at the age of 
ninety-five at his home in Butler County. 

Norbert Foltz learned the trade of a cabinet- 
maker, and follow-ed the same throughout his 
life; he emigrated to this country when a young 
man, and settled in Butler. Pa., where he met 
and married Elizabeth Riddle, in 1825. Natur- 
ally industrious, he was a hard worker, and 
saved witli true German thrift most of what he 
earned, and Itecame a wealthv man for those 
times and that section of the country, Ijeing one 
of the largest land owners in Butler County. 
Norl)ert L'oltz and his good wife reared to man- 
hood and womanhood seven children, as fol- 
lows: Mary; James Madison; Samuel; John 
Adams; Erancis Marion; Julia; and Horatio 
Nelson. 

Samuel, the third child, was born in 1830, and 
was brought up and received an education in his 
native town. At an early age he formed a desire 
to become a lawyer, and so studied the funda- 
mental principles of legal procedure under the 
direction of his wife's uncle, Charles C. Sullivan, 
and was admitted to the bar from that gentle- 
man's office. Our subject became interested in 
the iron business in the fifties, and with his 
father-in-law, William Stewart, owned and oper- 
ated the Margaret and Will-Roy furnaces in But- 
ler and Lawrence Counties respectively, until 
1865, when Air. Stewart moved to Pittsburg, and 
Mr. Eoltz came to the city of New Castle, where 
he made his home until death, which resulted 
C)ct. 22, 1878, from injuries he received in a run- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 275 

away accident. Durinj;- all the years of his resi- of the American Rcvohition, who settled in But- 
dence in New Castle he retained large interests ler Comity. In 1848, William Stewart engaged 
in the various industries that are related to the in the iron business, at first operating the Mar- 
manufacture or iron. In 1873 he organized the garct Furnace in Butler County, near Center- 
private bank of Foltz & Long, and a year later ville, and later the Will-Roy I'urnace in Law- 
bought stock in the P'irst National Bank of New rence Comity; subsequently he returned to 
Castle, becoming president of the latter bank, 1 hitler County, purchased and operated the 
and remaining in that position until his death. Winfield Furnace. In 1865, he moved to Pitts- 
He married Amanda G. Stewart, daughter of burg, where he lived until 1884, when he came 
William Stewart, and their union was blessed to New Castle, where he continued to live until 
with the following children: William Stewart, his death, June 29, 1888. His wife, bright and 
Le Roy Sullivan; Margaret Stewart (Brown); active, enjoyed almost perfect health to the day 
Samuel; Richard; David; and Mary Amanda, the of her death, which occurred May 20, 1884, aged 
last three deceased. I lis business interests did eighty-seven years, having been born March 30, 
not sufTer from being handled by strange hands, 1797, at Chartiers, Allegheny Co., Pa. In poli- 
but were taken up where he left them, and ad- tics Mr. Stewart was a ^^'hig and later a Repub- 
mirably looked after by his three sons — -Williani lican; in his younger years he served very 
S., Le Roy S., and Samuel. They were asso- acceptably as cashier in the State Treasury De- 
ciated with him in the ()rivate banking business partnient under State Treasurer Ciihnore; he 
previous to his death, and afterwards carried on also was honored with an election to the State 
the l''oltz I'ank until 1883, when it was consoli- Legislature, rejjresenting Mercer, Butler, and 
dated with the Mrst National Bank. L'pon our Lawrence Counties as one district. He was a 
subject's death, his oldest son, William S., was man of excellent judgment and business qualifi- 
elected president of the First National Bank, in cations and was a regularly ordained local minis- 
which capacity he is still retained; Samuel is ter in M. E. Church for fortv years. In view of 
connected with the same institution as cashier. the steady rise he made from an humble begin- 
Willi;un Stewart, who has been mentioned ning we feel certain that the term self-made ad- 
above as our subject's father-in-law, and also mirably describes him and his career in business, 
business partner for a number of years, was born His first business venture was the Iniilding of a 
on Squirrel Hill, now the city of Pittsburg, Pa., portion of the Erie Canal. He was well-posted 
Oct. II, 1802, and was a son of William and not alone to his inunediate surroundings and 
Elizabeth (Caughy) Stewart, both natives of walks in life, but also in a l)roader sense; read- 
Glasgow, Scotland. \Villiani Stewart, Jr., en- ing was almost his sole recreation, and he made 
tered the employ of tlie Butler Sentinel at the it also a source of great profit. He possessed 
age of fourteen years, and worked there for a strong personal characteristics, was stern in his 
period of several years. He married Margaret decisions and positive in his opinions. He was 
Sullivan, daughter of Charles Sullivan, a soldier director 01 the l-'irst Xalional I'.ank of New Cas- 



276 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



tie for several years prior to his death, that event 
terminating his office. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart 
were blessed with five children, as follows: 
Elizabeth; Mary (McKee); Amanda (Foltz)„the 
wife of onr sul)ject; Melissa P. (McKee): anil 
Charles William, who died in infancy. No man 
was ever held in higher respect by those he em- 
ployed than Mr. Stewart. 



J. SETH WADDINGTON, a representative 
mechanic of the city of New Castle, whose resi- 
dence is at No. ii6 South Jefferson Street, is 
the superintendent of the \'ulcan Iron Co., 
whose works and office are at Nos. 406-420 Mor- 
avia Street. He was born in East Brook, now 
in Lawrence County, but then a part of Mercer 
County, Nov. i, 1837, and is a son of Benja- 
min C. and Nancy (Burnley) Waddington, the 
latter a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Holmes) 
Burnley. Joseph Iturnley was born in England 
in 1766, and came to America in 1832; he was a 
woolen manufacturer, and died about 1851. Our 
subject's grandfather on his father's side, Ben- 
jamin Waddington, Sr., spent his whole life in ton & Co. concern, machinists, in connection 
England, where he was engaged in the woolen 



and was employed many years in the mills at 
East Brook. 

Our subject was reared in the village of East 
Brook until tlie age of nine, when the family 
became residents of New Castle, in which city 
they lived two or three years, and then moved 
to Fallston. Until about fourteen years of age, 
he attended the schools of the various cities of 
which he was a resident, and at that age began 
to learn the machinist's trade in the Ohio & 
Pennsylvania R. R. shops at Allegheny City, 
where he remained some three years and a half. 
The following year and a half were spent at 
Crestline and Gallion, Ohio, in the shops of the 
Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Crestline R. R. Then 
upon his return to Allegheny City, he worked 
in the shops six years and a half, after which he 
came to East Brook, where he took up his resi- 
dence, and Avas for two years engaged in a store 
with his brother. Again returning to Allegheny 
City, he resumed his old place in the railroad 
shops and continued in the employ of the com- 
pany through the years 1863-66. In the latter 
year, he came to New Castle, working some six 
years for the New Castle Manufacturing Co. In 
1 872, he became a partner in the Shaw, Wadding- 



mills during the active years of his life, his death 
occurring in 1845. ^^'-i'" subject's father, Ben- 
jamin Waddington, Jr., was born at Eccles Hill, 
Yorkshire, England, in 1799, and died at Ft. 
Wayne, Ind., Feb. 29, 1876; his body was sent 
back to East Brook, this county, where it was 
interred in the family plot. He was a member 
of the M. E. Church. In politics, he was a position as superintendent of the Vulcan Iron 
Democrat. lie was a woolen-spinner by trade, Co., which has its works on Moravia Street. 



with his brother and Mr. Shaw. This partnership 
lasted until 1881, when he leased the New Cas- 
tle Manufacturing Co.'s works, which he oper- 
ated for two years. In 1883, he leased the Shaw 
shop and ran that three years and in 1886 he 
established a shop of his own, which he operated 
for a year or two, and then sold to the New Cas- 
tle Plow Company, and assumed his present 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY 



^Ir. W'addington was married March Ji, i860, 
in Allegheny City, to Sarah J. Howard, daugh- 
ter of Aaron and Esther (Hennessey) Howard, 
and to him and his wife have been born five 
children: Enmia, who married R. I). Kissinger 
of Beaver Falls, and has borne him one child, 
Earl; Linnie, who married Albert Evans, an en- 
gineer of Mahoningtown, and has borne him 
four children, Roy, Jessie, Joseph and Zelda; 
Fannie, who married F'rank Bellews of New 
Brighton, to whom has been given one son, 
Carl; Cora; and Howard. Mrs. Waddington is 
a member of the Baptist Church. In politics, 
our subject is strictly independent, and party 
allegiance has no hold on him. He is a member 
of New Castle Lodge, No. 6, Protected Home 
Circle. An uncle of Mr. W'addington, John 
Burnley by name, participated in the battle of 
Waterloo. 



T. LOGAN HENRY, for many years past a 
prominent and prosperous farmer of North 
Beaver township, was born at Mt. Jackson in 
that township, in the first dwelling-house erected 
in the village, Jan. 16, 1824. Mr. Henry is a 
son of William and Jane (Logan) Henry, and a 
grandson of the old pioneer Francis Henry, who 
in the early days moved from Washington Co., 
Pa., and settled near Poland, Mahoning Co., 
Ohio, W'here he died at a ripe old age. Francis 
Henry w-as well-known throughout that section 
as an upright, industrious citizen, and he was a 
fitting founder of a family whose history has 
been inseparably linked with tiiat of their chosen 
abiding places. 



William Henry, son of Francis and father of 
the subject of this sketch, was born east of the 
mountains, moved with his father to the Ohio 
home, and settled on a farm near Poland. Here 
death claimed his first wife, a Miss Gray, whom 
he had married when a resident of Washington 
Co., Pa., just prior to going to Ohio. She left 
him as a precious legacy two daughters — Mar- 
garet anil Matilda. After a few years had 
elapsed, William Henry married Jane Logan, 
who became the mother of the subject of this 
notice. Following his second marriage, Mr. 
Henry and his wife moved to North Beaver 
township, buying and settling on the farm ow^ned 
later on by Mr. Dunnon. Here Mr. Henry, 
alive to the demands of a thriving young com- 
munity, opened the first store in the township. 
When the village of Mt. Jackson was laid out, 
he was one of the first investors. He bought 
three lots, and on one of them erected the first 
dwelling-house in the place. The store was also 
provided for, which Mr. Henry stocked with 
staple articles of merchandise and conducted 
many years. The dwelling, referred to, stood 
where the residence of John F. Pitts is now lo- 
cated, and the site of the store is now occupied 
by D. M. Weddle's store. William Henry was 
an American to the core. He loved a good 
horse and made frequent trips on horseback to 
Philadelphia, where he purchased supplies for 
his store. In 1817, Mr. Henry was appointed 
postmaster in the now thriving town, a position 
he held many years with honor to himself and 
advantage to his fellow-citizens. The year 1832 
found liiin a prosperous merchant and an exten- 
sive owner of real estate in and about Mt. Jack- 
son — there being besides many smaller proper- 



278 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, lA WRENCE COUNTY. 

ties the j. Dixon farm, the Mrs. Magill and the with the exception of a small plot he still owns. 
A'an Atta farm. About 1840, Mr. Henry This farm has been brought to a high state of 
brought his successful mercantile career to a cultivation, and every improvement, which mod- 
close, and built the residence on the McGill crn ideas suggest, has been added. Acres of 
farm, which he occupied, and which is now the bearing orcharils, invariab)ly loaded down with 
home of the subject of this sketch. The balance fruit, with everything in the best of condition, 
of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits, show the care and foresight of a practical man 
and to the care of the propertv which his indns- who understands very detail of his business. In 
try and good management had accumulated. 1878 a handsome barn, 44x66 feet in dimensions, 
Manv evidences of his correct methods may be with a high basement, was built, and the old 
seen to-day in the improvements he made on the home enlarged and remodeled. Many out- 
farms that were under his immediate control, buildings have been added from time to time as 
William Henry, besides being endowed with they were needed. 

varied business talents, stood high among his Early in life, the subject of this sketch was 

fellow-citizens. Many men knew him as a friend married to Miss Ellen Bushnell, daughter of the 

ever realv to extend a helping hand. He was a Rev. \Vclls Bushnell of Mt. Jackson township; 

devoted Christian; a mendjer of the Presbyter- she died at the age of forty-eight, leaving two 

ian Church, and one of the prime movers in daughters — Jennie and ]\Iinnie. [Miss Jennie is 

Ijuilding the present church edifice of that de- a graduate of Percers College, and is well known 

nomination in ]\It. Jackson. He died in 1872, in teaching circles. Minnie is the wife of Samuel 

mourned by all who knew him. Eight children Hoffmaster of Mt. Jackson. 

were liorn of the second marriage: John J.; T. Logan Henry has always been an active, 

William Harrison; I'rancis Brown; Eliza; T. public-spirited and valued citizen. While not a 

Logan, the subject of this sketch; Mary; James; politician, he has often been heard with telling 

and Matilda. effect in the councils of his chosen party. He 

T. Logan Henry received the very best edu- was originally a stanch Whig, and when the 

cational advantages which the schools of Mt. question of human slavery merged that party 

Jackson could give. He was from boyhood his into the Republican party, he became an enthu- 

father's right-hand man and helper, even down siastic Republican, and an advocate for equal 

through the latter's declining years. The meth- rights for white and black. There was no stin-- 



ods of the father became those of the son; as the 
burdens grew too heavy for the older, they 
found a ready and trained bearer in the younger 
Success, which was certainly won by the pioneer 
has been retained and maintained bv his worthy 



dier champion of Liberty and Union than he, 
and his faith in the idtimate result never wav- 
ered. To the blue-coated soldiers in the field or 
to the children left behind he was always a 
friend. Mr. Henry has never sought office, but 



successor. T. Logan Henrv inherited the old the willing, hearty votes of his fellow-townsmen 
home place and J50 acres of land, all of which have often placed him in public positions. He 




HERMAN E. McMlLLIN. M. D. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WHENCE COUNTY. 2S1 

has been clerk, supervisor, school director, her of the United Presbyterian Church. Our 

assessor and overseer of the poor in turn, lie suliject's mother was born near Xew Castle, and 

has always been an active churchman, being a was a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Monk) 

member from youth of the Presbyterian Churcli. McMillin. Mary ]\louk was born in Westmore- 

Though now well along in life, Mr. Henry re- land County, Pa., a daughter of Daniel Mouk. a 

tains the marks of his rugged American ances- native of Pennsylvania, and a blacksmith by 

try; active, clear-headed and acute as of yore he trade, who attained the age of eighty years, 

brings all the ripe experiences of the days gone Joseph Mc:Millin, grandfather of Dr. McMdhn 

by to bear upon present-day problems. Re- on his mother's side, was born in Washmgton 

spected by all, he is rounding out a life that has County about 1814, and was killed at the age of 

been well-lived and useful to all who have come si.xty-nine by being thrown from his carriage m 

within its influence. a runaway accident. He was a tinner by trade; 

his father, John McMillin, was a farmer by occu- 
pation, and was born in the eastern part of 
Pennsvlvania somewhere in the vincinty of 
Philadelphia. 
HERMAN E. McMHJJX, M. D., is the Dr. McMillin attended the district schools in 
-ding physician of Mahoningtown. and as such the vicinity of his father's farm near Wampum 
enjoys the confidence and esteem of a large until he was sixteen years of age, when he went 
number of patrons in that borough and scat- to Rock Island, 111., and worked two years m a 
tered about in the surrounding country. He is a lumber mill. On his return, he attended Grove 
native of Lawrence County, and was born in City College in Mercer County for four years, 
\Vurteniberg, Wayne township, March 13, 1862; and then for the next six years was engaged in 
he is a son of William and Eleanor (McMillin) teaching school. During this period, having 
McMillin, and was third in order of birth in a already fixed his aim on the medical profession, 
faniilv of eleven children. William McMillin was he was preparing himself by judicious readnig 
born in I'.ig Meadows, tjiis county, April 14. to prosecute with credit his studies ui that 
1825. and died March,25, 1895, after a well-spent chosen field. He then attended the Western Re- 
life in the pur.suits of agriculture. He was a serve of Cleveland, Ohio, for a year and the 
member of the United Presbyterian Church, and University of Woostcr, Ohio, and graduated on 
in his political views was first a Whig and then March 26, 1891, from the Medical College of 
a Republican. His parents were Edward and Western Pennsylvania. In the following month 
Nancy (Lamont) McMillin, both of Scotch par- he came to Mahoningtown, and located and 
entage. Edward McMillin, who was born in opened an office, wdiere he has since been en- 
Westmoreland County, Pa., and followed farm- gaged in the successful i)ractice of his protes- 
ing througliout the active period of his life, died sion. Our subject has met with the mast flatter- 
in 1830 at the age of fifty years; he was a mem- ing recognition of his ability and worth dunng 



282 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA U'RENCE COUNTY. 

his short residence in Mahoningtown, and has Of nine children in the parental family, Archie 

won golden opinions from all fair-minded men was third; he remained under the parental roof 

for his honorable and professional method of untd he attained his majority, and attended the 

treating all applications for his skilled assistance, district schools until he was eighteen in Enon 

His practice has grown phenomenally, and with- \'alley, whither his father had moved when our 

in the first six months after locatmg, he could subject was five years old. ^Vhen a youth he 

well lay claim to the largest practice in the bor- learned the blacksmith's trade in his brother's 

ough, and this practice is still growing and ex- shop, and labored one year at the forge; then 

tending its bounds. after eighteen months on the farm he left for the 

Politically, Dr. IMcAlillin has always associa- West, working eight months at his trade in Ma- 
ted himself with the Republican party, and has haska and Poweshiek Counties, Iowa, then re- 
served two terms on the school board. Socially, turning at the expiration of that period to Penn- 
he is a member of Amazon Lodge, No. 336, sylvania, where he worked for a time at his trade 
Knights of Pythias, of Mahoningtown; and of at Wampum Furnace and at Homewood Fur 
the Lodge of the Craft, No. 433, F. & A. M., of nace for three years, and at Homewood Station 
New Castle. something over three years. At this stage in 

The publishers of this volume take great his life begins his connection with the railroad 
pleasure in presenting Dr. McMillin's portrait on service; after braking two years and six months, 
a preceding page, in connection with the fore- he became a conductor, and for twenty-five 
going biographical sketch. years held that position, and to-day he is prob- 
ably the oldest railroad man on the rolls. Since 
-m-^-^-^m. 1890, he has not done active service as a con- 
ductor, but has served efificiently as the assistant 

ARCHIE REED, the assistant yardmaster on yard-master on the Heaver Falls Division of the 

the Beaver \"alley Division of the Pennsylvania Pennsylvania R. R. 

R. R. at New Castle, was born in Allegheny Co., Mr. Reed was married, Nov. 16, 1858, in Mer- 

Pa., June 21, 1833. Archibald Reed, Sr., Mr. cer County, to Sarilla Swoger, daughter of 

Reed's father, married a Miss Whittaker, but as James and Margaret (Miller) ' Swoger; Mrs. 

her death occurred when our subject was only Reed during her life was a member of the First 

four years old, he remembers very little of her. Presbyterian Church; her death took place at 

Archil)ald Reed, Sr., was probably born in Alle- the familv residence in New Castle, Aug. 6, 

gheny Co., Pa., and that remained his home and 1891. The fruits of our subject's marriage were 

continued to be the scene of his agricultural three children as follows: Ida, who married 

labors until about the year 1867, when he moved Oliver Irvin. a passenger conductor on the 

to Newport, where he lived some sixteen or Pennsylvania Co.'s lines, and has borne him one 

eighteen years, his death occurring in Mahon- child, Charles; Adaline, deceased; and Carrie, 

ingtown, as a result of a railway accident. the wife of Thomas Johns, a heater in the tin 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



283 



mill. Mr. Reed makes his home with his young- 
est daughter and her husband. He was form- 
erly a member of the Senior Order of American 
.Mechanics during tlie Hfe of that organization. 
Politically, he is a stanch and loyal supporter of 
the silver wing of the Democratic party. 



amongst them. The same land is owned to-day 
by their several descendants. Joseph Taggart 
died at about fifty-five years of age; his wife was 
not over forty years old when she was called to 
her long home to receive the reward of a virtu- 
ous life, replete with good deeds. Their chil- 
dren were: Sarah; Dorothy; Margaret; and 

__^ John Smith, the subject of this biographical 

sketch. 

John S. Taggart came to New Castle in T853 
JOHN SMITH TAGGART, deceased, who as clerk for Pollard McCormick, and was for 
was one of New Castle's highly honored cili- many years his chief clerk, trusted and honored 
zens, enjoying the full and unlimited confidence with the supervision of many important details 
and respect of his fellow-citizens, belonged to of the business. For many years he was with 
that selected company of American citizens who Paul Graff & Co., wholesale shoe dealers. He 
can claim the title of self-made, having arisen then entered into the oil business in Tennessee, 
from an humble station in life to his eminent and later in \'enango Co., Pa.; he was also in 
position in the world of conmicrcial activity the retail shoe business with his son, Samuel J., 
purely by his own exertions. His death, which under the firm name of J. S. Taggart & Son. In 
occurred on the thirtieth of December, 1896, 1878, our subject sold his interest in the shoe 
was a serious loss not only to his family, but business, and went to Beaver County, where he 
also to all of New Castle's citizens, and espe- was engaged in the oil busines until 1881, when 



cially to the rising generation, to whom he of- 
fered the example of a life nobly spent, worthy 
of the highest admiration. He was born in Bel- 
mont Co., Ohio, in 1830, and was a son of Jos- 
eph and Jane (Smith) Taggart. 

Joseph Taggart was of Scotch-Irish descent. 
With his three brothers. Tames, William, and 



he opened u]) an office in New Castle to deal in 
real estate, and represent some of the best and 
most reliable insurance companies. His licallh 
had gradually failed for some years, and when 
rheumatism set in, his enfeebled constitution 
could not stand the strain, and he reluctantly 
prepared to leave the busv world and his loved 



Isaac, all of them older than he, he came to this wife and children, and obey the final summons, 

country. They were not entirely without means. The end came suddenly, acute rheumatism seiz- 

for their father, and their ancestors far removed, ing the heart, and paralyzing its action, thus 

had I)een well-to-do farmers of the north of Ire- preventing it from performing its necessary 

land: with their capital the four brothers bought functions, and causing death. 1 le had just com- 

four hundred acres of land near St. Clairsvillc, ])leted a niudern hou.se, tilted up in the most at- 

Qhio, and proceeded to clear the land of the tractive manner, on Grant Avenue, where he 

tnnber, build homes, and apportion the property leaves a widow and children to mourn the great 



28i 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



loss that has come to them. His death occurred secretary of the Rock Point Coal Co., and book- 
on the forty-fifth anniversary of his wedding keeper of the Rosena Furnace. Mr. Taggart 
with Nancy J- Hamilton, daughter of Samuel was a decided Republican, and served as city 
and Arabella (Scroggs) Hamilton, and grand- councilman, and as a member of the school 
(laughter of Thomas and Nancy (Mitchell) board, holding a place in the latter organization 
Hamilton. Airs. Taggart's grandfather, Thomas for twenty-five years, sixteen years of which 
Hamilton, was born in Belfast, Ireland, his wife's period being spent as secretary of the board, 
birth-place also being in Ireland. Upon his He was a leader in the United Presbyterian 
arrival in the great Republic, he took up his Church, and often acted as trustee, 
residence near Brush Run, Beaver Co., Pa., 

where he farmed the remainder of his life, dying — « ^ » ■ 

at an age exceeding seventy years. His wife 
lived to be over ninety years old. The following 
children were born to them: John; Thomas; 
Milo; Mitchell; George; Samuel; Elmira; and 
Jane. Samuel Hamilton was born on the home- 
stead in Beaver Co., Pa., and early in life was a 
harness and saddle-maker. Pie was a spirited, 
active man in politics, and being blessed with a 
good education, he devoted much of his later 
life in the service of the town, serving as justice 
of the peace, as representative to the State Leg- 
islature, and as county commissioner. He died 
at the age of sixty-eight; his wife filled out 
twenty more years, and was eighty-eight years 
old when she fell into that last sleep. Their 
children were: Isabelle; Thomas J.; Sanuiel; 
Alexander; Nanc}- J., the wife of our subject; 
Margaret; Mary; Louise; and James. Three 
children are still li\'ing, Nancy J., j\Iary, and 
Louise. 



CONRAD CLINE, deceased, an ex-soldier 
of the late war, was born in Richland Co., Ohio, 
Oct. 19, 1823, and was a son of Henry and Bar- 
bara (Book) Cline, natives of Essex Co., N. J., 
and Washington Co., Pa., respectively. 

The father of our subject was a farmer by 
occuiiation, and spent his whole life on the farm, 
engaged in agricultural labors ; he was very suc- 
cessful in his chosen occupation, and was consid- 
ered to be one of the leading men of his neigh- 
liorhood. His wife, Barbara, a daughter of 
Jacolj Book of the State r)f Pennsylvania, bore 
him the following six children: Mary; Jacob; 
Eliza; Maria; Conrad, the subject of this sketch; 
and Sarah. Henry Cline departed this life Sept. 
15, 1866, his death following that of his wife by 
some three years, her death having occurred 
]Jec. 31, 1863. 

Conrad Cline early in life learned the trade of 
To our subject and his esteemed wife were a plasterer, and worked at the trade a number of 



born the following children: Samuel T-. who 
died at the age of thirty-seven; Arabella Jane, 
the wife of A. C. Jones; Dorothy Elizabeth, the 
wife of T. F. Morehead; John C, an accountant 
in the of^fice of the Whitcrow Co.; and Charles P. 



years, relinquishing it at last to engage in shoe- 
making, an occupation he followed until his en- 
listment in 1863 in the I'nited States service, in 
which he remained until the close of the war 
that decided that the South had espoused a "lost 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



2S5 



cause." lie was firm in liis allegiance to the 
political principles and dogmas of the Republi- 
can party. In the matter of his religious pref- 
erences, he was a member of the United Presby- 
terian Church. 

On Dec. i6, 1847, 'i'-' ^^'^s joinetl at the altar of 
Hymen with Mary Harbison, dauijhter of Will- 
iam Harbison of New Castle, Pa., and by their 
union they became the proud parents of three 
children: Margaret E.. deceased; Sarah J., de- 
ceased; and Eliza A., who married John C. Houk 
of Shcnango township, and presented him with 
nine children: Jemiie E. ; Margaret A.; Mary 
A.; Sarah E. ; Edith; Conrad C. ; Samuel R.; 
Edna: and Hazel. Our subject's first wife died 
Oct. 25, 1865. He afterwards formed a second 
union with Nancy Burton, Jan. 3, 1867. Mr. 
Cline departed this life Jan. 20, 1892, mourned 
by many friends and the best citizens of New 
Castle, for he had firmly established himself in 
tlicir regard as a man of strict integrity, and dis- 
posed to many kindly actions. 



ELIJAH GAD MATHENY, one of Elhvood 
City's oldest citizens, and in fact one of Law- 
rence County's oldest native-born residents, now 
living in retirement on his farm in the city, was 
born near the county line in Wayne township on 
the Weller farm, March 31, 1821. 

His grandfather, Joseph Matheny, was born 
in Germany of a High Dutch family, ^^'hen a 
young man, he came to this country with his 
brother, and settled in Shenandoah, \\'est Vir- 
ginia, where he carried on farming, and served 



as judge of the court. When past middle age, he 
removed to W'ayne Co., Ohio, near \\'ooster, 
and bought a large farm, where his death took 
place in 1837. His wife also lived to a good old 
age, their hardy ancestry telling in their survival 
of the frosts of many winters. Their children 
were: John, Absalom. George, Moses, Israel, 
who was drowned on the Monongahela; Isaac, 
Aaron, Rachel, and Maliala. 

Moses Matheny. our subject's father, was born 
while the family had its residence in Shenan- 
doah, and while a youth learned the cabinet- 
maker's trade. In i8cj6, he married Hannah Nye, 
daughter of Andrew and Rachel Nye of Wayne 
township, Lawrence County, and removed to a 
farm, which he bought near the old Nye home- 
stead. In 1817, he .sold this property, and 
bought a farm near Wooster, Ohio, where he 
lived a few years, and then came back to Penn- 
sylvania, where he bought a farm in Wayne 
township, where the subject of this notice was 
born. This farm had been but slightly im- 
proved, so for a number of years his labors were 
directed toward the removing of the forest 
growth and preparing the soil for cultivation; in 
this he was assisted by his sons; his trade of 
cabinet-making also proved very useful to him 
in this work, for he would exchange the furni- 
ture he made with his neighbors for work in 
the clearing. In company with Judge Hemphill 
in 1820, Mr. Matheny bought three hundred 
acres of land on the present site of the village of 
Wurtemberg. There was a great scarcity of 
salt in this section of the country, and what there 
was had to be carted for hundreds of miles and 
thus was very expensive, so these two gentle- 
men bored a salt well 586 feet in depth, and 



286 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, lAWRENCE COUNTY. 

found a small amount of salt water to reward carry on the farm, and care for the others of the 
their efforts — the water only furnishing enough household. He stayed with his mother until 
saline matter to make one barrel of salt in twelve her death, and he owns the homestead, which is 
hours; very large profits were not realized from managed by his son, Jerdon Xye ]\Iatheny. 
this venture, for salt was worth about $4 a bar- Mr. Alatheny became the husbantl of Sarah 
rel, and the work of drilling was done at great Ann Nye on Feb. 12, 1846. She was born June 
expense and hard work with a spring pole. This 24, 1824, and was a daughter of Col. Jerdon M. 
was the only salt found in many miles, and con- and Hannah (Plantz) Nye. Col. Nye was born 
sequently cattle strayed thither from far and on Peter Creek, twelve miles from Pittsburg; 
near to lick the ground, and wild game abound- he settled in ^^'ayne township, where he carried 
ed in the vicinity. j\Ir. Matheny was interested on farming and stock-raising, inheriting the 130 
in this Ijusiness for fifteen years, and then built acres from his father's estate, which later passed 
a mill in Slippery Rock township, near Wurtem- into the possession of our subject through his 
berg, which he finally traded for the farm our wife. Col. Nye was a colonel in the State mili- 
subject owns. Mrs. jNlatheny was past si.xty- tia, and served as justice of the peace twenty- 
five when she passed over to the far countrv, and four years. 

Mr. Mathen)' was sixty years of age, when his Elijah Gad Matheny, whose history is given 
death occurred in 1845. They reared the follow- herein, lived on his own farm until 1874, when 
ing children: Joseph, Nancy, Aaron, Rachel, he removed to the farm referred to above, that 
Elizabeth, George, Mahala, Elijah Gad, Amaii- belongs to Mrs. Matheny, and ran the old Mat- 
da, James Parker, Hannah, IMoses, and John lieny mill on the creek. Pie built a comfortable 
Deemer. They all grew to be strong and vigor- farm-house . in 1883, and was engaged in the 
ous men and women, although at the present various industries of farm life until he sold his 
time but four survive — Elizabeth, Elijah (iad, land to the Pittsburg Manufacturing Co., re- 
James Parker, and John Deemer. The father taining ten acres as a homestead, and retired to 
of our subject was a Whig in his political alle- enjoy the sunset years of his life. i\Ir. Matheny 
giance, and in religious matters favored the has always been a Republican until the last few 
M. E. Church. He was the first man in the years, when he transferred -his allegiance to the 
United States that struck oil in a well in 1828, Prohibitionists. He is overseer of the poor in 
there being another man in Kentuckv who Ellwood City, and has served as justice of the 
stnick oil in 1829. peace. Mr. and Mrs. Matheny are Presbyterians 
Elijah Gad IMatheny had few educational ad- in their religious faith. Their children are: Cal- 
vantages, as the great system of public schools ista Isaphenia, born Nov. 12, 1846, who lives at 
was then still in embryo and did not materialize home: Lizzie Jane, who died at the age of eigh- 
until he was a man grown. When he was sev- teen months: Albert T., who also passed away 
enteen years old, his father died and left a bur- when twenty-one years old; Alice Arzina, born 
den on our subject's young shoulders to help Nov. 5, 1852, who married Francis ]\F Davis, a 




BAZZELLEEL PITZER. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COl'XTY. 



289 



prominent farnicr and fruitdealer, and has these 
children — Ahce A., Xellie E., Charles S., Nancy, 
Elijah G., and Alma; Alma Diadema, born Dec. 
25, 1854, lives at home; Jerdon Nye, born June 
18, 1857, married Anna M. Gillespie, and they 
have been blessed with two children — Alice A., 
and Joseph G. ; Sherman Marshall, a tli)urish- 
ing dentist of New Castle, born July 22, 1862, 
married Nettie Grove. Mr. and Mrs. Mathcny 
show forth in their daily lives the beauty of the 
teachings of the Gospel. They have, as they de- 
serve, the good will and cordial friendship of the 
entire conmiunity in which they live, and their 
record through life is one of which Ihcir chil- 
dren may well be proud. 



BAZZELLEEL PITZER, a wealthy and 
representative fanner of Taylor township, en- 
gaged in carrying on his chosen occupation at 
East Moravia, was born at Lawrence Junction, 
July 31, 1826. His parents were Michael and 
Elizabeth (Cameron) I'itzer; the latter was born 
in I'ittshnrg, a daughter of Allan and Elizabeth 
(Cornian) Cameron; Allan Cameron was a 
native of Scotland, but immigrated to the col- 
onies ])rior to the Revolutionary War, and when 
injustice and oppression culminated in war, he 
espoused the cause of the patriots, and fought 
nobly throughout the struggle. Our subjects 
father was a native of \'irginia, where he was 
born in 1802; his death took place in Dickinson 
County, Tenn.. in 1881. He was very handy and 
expert with all manner of tools, and was the 
master of. three different trades — coopering, 
shoemaking, and carpentering. He was frugal 



and industrious in his habits, and accumulated 
considerable property; with the increase in his 
fortune, he conceived the idea of making his 
home in a new country where land was plentier 
than where he had resided, and where he could 
gather all his children and their families about 
him. So in 1868, he removed to Dickinson 
County, Tcnn.. where he purchased 530 acres of 
land near Charlotte; many of his children went 
with him, but some of them, among whom was 
our subject, returned to Pennsylvania after his 
death. Michael Pitzer was a son of Michael Pit- 
zer, Sr., a native of Germany, who followed 
farming in the State of \irginia after coming to 
America, and (lied about 1835 or 1840. aged 
eighty-two years. 

The subject of this biography was reared in 
Lawrence County, and was a pupil in the sub- 
scription schools until the age of sixteen, when 
he began boating on the canal as tow-boy, antl 
followed this life on the canal for five years. He 
then began farming, and also ran a threshing 
machine for a period of twenly-one years. His 
first landed possession was a ten-acre tract on 
the old Pittsburg road near Punipkinton, where 
he resided ten years, and then moved to a sixty- 
acre farm on Snake Run farther south in Shen- 
ango township, which he occupietl ten years, 
engaged in farming and in operating his tjiresh- 
ing machine, in the meantime disposing of his 
original ten-acre tract. In i86(), he sold his farm, 
and bought 100 acres near r^Ioravia, where he 
still resides as one of the jM-oniinent and lea<ling 
agriculturists of his section. 

Mr. Pitzer w-as joined in the bonds of matri- 
mony in Shenango township, Dec. 26, 1849, to 
Margaret Reed, a daughter of William and 



290 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Anna ( Cannonj Reed. Mrs. Pitzcr"s nmther and she lived tu he ninety-two years old. John 
\\hi> was born in Mahoningtown, Feb. lo, 1805, Reed, whose father, Aliehael Reed, died in Ire- 
still survives, and in her ninety-third year is clear land, was born in the Emerald Isle, and ininii- 
and vigorous in mind, and reasonably strong grated to America, settling first in Ohio, and 
and active in bo(l\' tor one of her age; she makes coming to Lawrence County in 1806, where he 
her home with her granddaughter, Mrs. J. W. purchased a farm in the southern part of Shen- 
Miller, in .\ew Castle. She was a daughter of ango township on Snake Run, where he died at 
James and Betsey (Hendrickson) Cannon. the age of forty. 

lames Cannon, a farmer by occupation, and son Seven children have l)een born to Mr. and 
of Tames Cannon, Sr., was liorn at Shirley's Wrs. Pitzer, as follows: Delia C, now deceased, 
Laniling, ]'a., and died in .Shenango townshij), who married Edward Frisbee of Shenango 
near Center Church, at the age of si.xty-si.x. His townshii>, and bore him six children — Mary, 
wife was a ilaughter of Dr. Cornelius Hendrick- Daisy B., Effie, Roy, Edward, and Harriet; 
son, who was the first phvsician to practice in Jennie H., who married Milton Crider of Free- 
Lawrence County, coming to this county in dom. Pa., and has seven children — Eva, the wife 
I7()7, when the Indians were plentiful, with two of Albert Mills, and the mother of one child, 
other families, who were among the first people William DeForest — William H., B. Anna, 
to settle in what was then almost a trackless Amanda, Bessie, ]\Iilton A., and Ira; William C, 
wilderness. Betsey, his tlaughter, was severely who lives on his farm in Big Beaver township, 
frightened bv one of the red savages when driv- surrounded with a family of seven cliildren — 
ing home the cows one evening, and it was Anna M., Elizabeth, Ellen. Mary, James, Josie 
deemed so very unsafe after that, that she was B., and Jennie; David A., living in liig Beaver 
never sent again, the work being then performed ti)wnship, was the second postmaster at East 
1)y one of the men of the household. The Moravia, holding office ten years from the estab- 
Doctor served through the Revolutionar\- War. lishment of the office in 1881 — he has five chil- 
He retained his vigor to an extreme old age, and dren, ^Jary M., Lea, Earl, Audley, and Gertrude; 
when ninety-five years of age rode six miles on Anna M., wdio married James A. Lindsay of 
horse-back to set a Iiroken leg. W'illiam Reed, Lowellville, Ohio, and has borne him five chil- 
the father of Mrs. Pitzer, was born near Zanes- dren — Robert Audley, Anna M., James A., 
ville, ( )hio, in the month of June, 1803, and Edith, and Jennie B. ; Bessie, who was assistant 
learned the wheelwright's trade at Zelicnople, postmaster many years with her brother, and is 
Pa. He came to New Castle and bought a farm now the wife of Nicholas J. Hall of McKeesport, 
in 1829, where he worked at his trade and fol- Pa., and the mother of one child, John Nicholas; 
lowed agricultm-al pursuits imtil his death at the and George Francis, who lives at Freedom, Pa., 
age of fort\-. He was a son of John and Mar- and has i^ne child, Grace. ]\Irs. Pitzer, an excel- 
garet (Lutton) Reed; the latter was a daughter lent la<l\- of wide acquaintance and deservedly 
of Ralph Lutton, who married a Miss Martin, popular ami)ng her friends, is an active member 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 2;n 

of tlic I'liited Presbyterian Church. Mr. Pitzer The grandfather came from Wasliinglon Co., 
is a Republican in his politics, and has served as Pa., into North Beaver township, this county, 
supervisor many years, such is the iiigh esteem and was one of the very first of that hardy band 
for integrity and good judgment in which he is of settlers who cast their lot in the new country, 
held. He has been for twenty years a member He took up 400 acres of land, sallied into the 
of Welcome Lodge, Xo. 65, A. (). V. W., of timber with ready axe. and soon a log-cabin 
Chcwton, this county, and was formerly affiliated marked the home acre. Year succeeding year 
with the I. O. O. V. ( )nr subject and his wife marked an increa.se in the acreage cleared and 
are a highly esteemed and respected coui)le, who put under cultivation, .so that when he complet- 
labor in all ways to advance the interests of the ed his life's span, he died possessed of a fine 
comnnuiity, and to show forth in their daily lives i^roperty. the reward of a life of toil and hard- 
the precepts of that noble religion taught in the ship. Michael Rook died at the age of seventy- 
life of the Redeemer, and the citizens of Taylor two. and his good wife, who had accompanied 
township hold them in the highest repute for him through trials and tribulations to prosper- 
their consistent goodness and nobility of char- ity. attained the age of si.xty-four. Seven chil- 
acter. In 1885 he engaged in the mercantile <lren were reared by this worthy couple to noble 
business, in which he was very successful, manhood and womanhood; they were: Peggy, 
remaining in trade until i8yo. He then sold out Eliza, John, Sally, Mary, Susie, and Jacob. Both 
at good advantage and returned to his farm. He -Michael P.ook and his wife were devout Chris- 
is now enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. tian people, anil were members of the United 
We are indeed pleased to l)e able to present such Presijyterian Church. 

an excellent likeness of Nfr. Pitzer, as adorns a Jacob Book, the father of the subject of this 

preceding page, and we feel sure that it will be article, was born on the paternal farm. He early 

viewed with interest. learned the arts of the woodsman and the pion- 
eer, becoming when still a youth his father's 

■,_^*» right hand helper. He inherited 20y acres of 

the home place, and built a log-cal)in on the site 

GEORGE BOOK, a farmer of Mahoning of the residence of Alva Book. He at one time 

township, Lawrence Co., Pa., who is held in and another owned and cleared other tracts of 

high esteem wherever he is known, and who is land, but finally retired from active pursuits, re- 

a fair example of the kind of men who have siding until the close of his life at the age of 

built up this part of the Keystone State, was seventy-six at Lowellville, Ohio. His wu'e. who 

brought into this world Jan. I. 1829. He was had been a :\Ii.ss .Martha McComb, reached her 

born on the farm now known as the Ripple sixty-sixth year, before she was called from this 

Place, and was a son of Jacob and Martha (Mc- world to receive the rewards for a life well and 

Comb) Book, and a grandson of Michael and nobly spent. Jacob Book's children were: 

Elizabeth (Stillwagon) Book. George, the subject of this personal history; 



292 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Elizabeth, wlio became the wife of i\Ir. Steel; Washington Co., Pa., in 1797, and was a son of 

William, now deceased; Ferdinand, who now John Book, who was born in Philadelphia, but 

lives on a farm adjoining George Book's prop- early settled in Washington Co., Pa. In 1804, 

erty; Agnes, who married Mr. Downey; and he came to Lawrence Co., and settled on a farm, 

Sarah and Lvdia, both of whom died in infancy. nnw called the Cunningham Place, and here he 

George Book became the owner of ninety lived until his death at the age of eighty. His 

acres of the old farm. On this he built a small wife died at the age of eighty-four. Their chil- 

house, which in 1853 ^^^ enlarged to suit his in- drcn were: Jacob, John, Isaac, Annie, Peggie, 

creasing needs; the resulting structure was again Susan, Xancy, and George, deceased. Jacob 

remodeled in 1872 into his present commodious Book inhcrite<l a portion of his father's estate, 

residence. The barns were rebuilt al)out 1861. nnidunting to thirty-nine acres, and increased it. 

As time went on. the subject of our article pros- as the years went by, by subsequent additions 

pered, so that he was enabled to buy an eighty- until he was the owner of 180 acres. In 1838, he 

acre farm from his brother, and also the sixty- built a fi'ame house, and opened a country store. 

acre Roberts farm. When the discovery was He also purchased the necessary apparatus, and 

made that a part of Mr. Book's land was under- distilled a very good article of whisky, which he 

laid by a fine bed of limestone of a quality much sold in Cleveland for 13 cents per gallon; this 

in demand for fluxing iron ore, Mr. Book \vas about the only method available to the early 

leased certain sections to Grist & Graham, quar- grain-raisers for turning their surplus wheat, 

rymen. These gentlemen connected the quar- corn and rye into ready cash. Jacob blook died 

ries with the main line of railroad by a spur in 1874 at a good old age. and his wife, who was 

track, and are now doing a verv successful busi- born in 1803, survived him three years. The 

ness, a considerable profit coming to our sul>- children that blessed their union were: John 

ject. Mr. T^.ook has set out a great many fruit C; Abram; Susan, the wife of our subject; 

trees, and is the proud owner of some fine liear- Isaac; Mary; Wilder; Jehiel; L}inan l'>.: and 

ing orchards on his estate. He has brought the Betsey. 

land into a high state of cidtivation, and through Three children were horn to our subject and 

good and careful management has prospered his wife, who were as follows: Wilder Mc- 

greatly. In addititju to the place described Comb, who married Ora ]Martin, and now su- 

above, he has a fine stock and grain farm on the i)erintends his father's farms; Dala, now de- 

Youngstown road, to which he devotes a large ceased, who was the wife of L. Roher; and ( )ra. 

amoinit f)f time and attention. the wife of Charles Wright. 

Mr. Book was married to Miss Susan Book, George Book has always been a man of sound 
the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Armitage) judgment and good understanding, and has ex- 
Book, and a very distant relative. The Jacob erted a marked influence in his section. He has 
Book, here referred to, though having the same become a prosperous citizen as a natural result 
name as the father of our subject, was born in of his thrift and industry. Along social and 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



2!tn 



political lines he is very energetic, and is a man Hannah, July 21, 1787; Jordan M.. March 10. 

whose ideas and opinions are sought for as hav- 1789; Mary, Feb. 12. 1791 ; Margaret. July 13. 

ing real weight. He was originally a Whig, but 1792; Susan. Feb. 27. 1795: Andrew R., Dec. 22. 

on tlie formation of the Republican party, he 1797: Dan, March 19. 1800: and Thomas. Aug. 

cast his vote and influence with the supporters 30, 1802. 

of Abraham Lincoln. On religious subjects, Thomas Xye, the youngest of a family of four- 
Mr. Book has always been liberal and broad- teen, farmed with his father, and labored at agri- 
minded. He is now filling out his allotted time cultural ])ursuits all his life On .\pril 10, 1S28. 
in tile wav a man of his abilities and character- Mr. Xye was united in the bonds of matrimony 
istics should. with Pernina Pettit. who was born Nov. 15. 

1804. The Xyes lived in the true pioneer days. 
-■»^*» when there was plenty of game for the snaring 

of it, and settlers' cabins were few and far be- 
DAX XYK, a respected citizen of Wayne tween. Tiiey worked hard at clearing the land. 
townshi|), and a resident of Hazel Dell, where he and suceeded in wresting sustenance and a com- 
is engaged in general teaming, was l>orn near fortable livelihood from the soil. Their children 
the bank of Conoquenessing Creek, where the were: Dan, our subject, born h'cb. to. 1829; 
"Circle" of Ellwood City is located now. In his Alvah and Avery, twins, Jan. 25, 1830; Aaron, 
early manhood he felled trees in the virgin for- Jan. 26. 1835. Mrs. Xye laid down her duties 
est, where now the well-populated city stands, and closed her eyes on life on July 10. 1836. 
His parents were Thomas and Pernina (Pettit) After the lapse of .several years. Mr. Xye con- 
Xye, and his grandparents were Andrew Rose tracted a .second matrimonial alliance with Mrs. 
and Rachel (McDonald) Xye, who came to this Kliza McElwain, whose maiden name was Mil- 
section of the State from Philadelphia, and set- ler. By this union five more children were 
tied for some time at Peter's Creek, but after- added to the family: Jordan M.. born Nov. 7. 
wards removed to Lawrence County, where they 1847; Pernina. Xov. 27. 1849; Hannah. Xov. 23. 
received a patent for four hundred acres of new 1852: Xancy. Aug. 11. 1854: and Celia, Aug. 16, 
land. They built thereon a log-house in 1793. 1857- Mr. Xye held various minor offices at the 
near the site of the Presbyterian Church, and hands of his townspeople. He owned 130 acres 
lived many years to prosper and to delight in nf land, but little dreamed that his meadows 



their splendid family of children. .Andrew Xye 
was born Jan. 6, 1750, and died March i. 1821. 
and his wife entered this life Xov. 10. 1760. and 
departed it Dec. 16, 1847. 'i'lieir children were: 



should one day furnish building sites for many 
happv and comfortable homes. The grand- 
father. .\ndre\v. lived in a log-house where the 
residence of brick and frame now stands, and 



Richard, born Xov. i, 1776; Eleanor. Dec. 25. there were only two families in the vicinity for 
1777; Catherine, ^farch 5. 1780; Xancy. Xov. 9. miles and miles, and these were the Renyons 
1781; John, Oct. 2. 1783: Michael, Oct. 2. 1785; and liazens. Mrs. Xye was often left in the log- 



21)4 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

house with the cliildren when her liusband was wood City: lie joined his fortunes with those of 
at work, and she would be often forced to fire a Carrie (^iarwick, and they have four children — 
rifle from the door and to resort to other similar J'^reddie, Mary. Betsey, and Florence, 
expedients to friijjiten the wolves, and keep them Mr. Xye had the homestead and a ,L,^)odly 
frcmi molesting the jilacc. portion of the paternal estate, where he lived 
Dan Nve, our subject, helped his father clear and carried du general farming and teaming un 
the farm, and worked on the paternal estate un- til iXijo. when he disposed of the farm to the pro- 
til his marriage, Sept. 3. TS50. to Mrs. Mary Ann jectors of Ellwood City, and since 1892 has re- 
Giiw, widow of John (inw. \\lio was born March sided at Hazel Dell, where he has been engaged 
15, 1S17. and died at thirt\ -eight vears of age, in teaming. Alvah Xye, a brother of the subject 
leaving to the care of his relict two children — of this article, has always resided with .Mr. Nye, 
Isabel and John A., both of whom are now de- and he it was who constructed the house they 
ceased. Mrs. Nye was born April 2, 1826, and occupy in 1892. In their religious jireferences the 
was a daughter of George and Jane (Steen) N\es are liaptists. The faniilv is noted for its 
( )wrey, both of wliom were natives of Crawford longevity and fine constitutions. Mr. and Mrs. 
County, Pa. (ieorge ()wre\' was a blacksmith, N\'c are ver\- good compan\, merr\- and fond of 
and his last work was done in New Castle, this jokes, and verv entertaining conversationalists, 
county. Of the innnediate family of Dan Nye. They have a wide acquaintance through the 
Thomas, born ]*"eb. 7, 1832, and I'ernina. both county, and in fact n<i famih is more generally 
died in infancy. George A., born March 5, known than theirs. Mr. Nye is a member of the 
1853, is a stone-cutter of Hazel Dell; he married Ellwood Lodge, T. ( ). ( ). ]•"., where he is es- 
Rebeca Duncan, and they have four children; teemed an intfuential and worthy brother. 
Dan, Mary E., Charles, and Grace. Nathaniel 
P., born Dec. 6, 1854, is an engineer at Ludlow, 
Ky.; his wife was Maria h'owler. Margaret J., 
born k\-b. 17, 1837, wedded Madison Maine of 

Leetonia, Ohio, and has a son, Martin, .\lvah L., DR. WALTER E. MILLER is a leading 

born March 4, 1839, is a stone-cutter of Ell- physician of the city of New Castle, where he 

wood Cit\-; he took for his wife Florence Mar- has been very successfully engaged in the tluties 

shall, and their children are Nellie and John. that jiertain to his profession since i8c)4, in 

James ]M., Ixirn Juh 21, 1861, is a stone-cutter which \ear he received his diidoma as an M. D. 

of North Sewickley; he married Martha Smiley. fnjni the V\"estern Pennsylvania Medical College 

and the children in their household are Mar- of Pittsburg, Pa. His boyhood days were spent 

garet, Ann, and Afartin, having lost two sons, in New Castle, attending scIkjoI and leading the 

James and William. Dan, Jr., Iiorn May i. usual life of a young lad full of youthful spirit. 

1864, died .Sept. 12 in the same vear. Thomas, llefore attending the Medical College in i8()i, 

born M;iv 18, 1866, is also a stone-cutter <if I'^ll- where he obtained his professional knowledge. 




WiriFIELD S. TURritiK. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. '207 

he was enrolled for one year as a student in the lip, daughter of J. T. Phillip of New Castle: our 

State Normal School at Edinboro, Pa. Having subject \va^ called upon to mourn the death of 

acquired a liking for the medical profession in his beautiful young wife but a few short months 

his younger days and having directed his studies later, the date of her decease being Dec. 15, 

in that direction, it seemed the natural thing to 1896. It was a severe blow to her husband and 

our subject's friends that he should have fully to her many devoted friends, who were never 

decided upon a physician's career and perfected tired of praising her charming traits of charac- 

himself toward that end, and that his skill and ter. Dr. Miller is a member of the Lawrence 

learning should be so widely recognized as of CouiUy Medical As.sociation. 
the best. 

Dr. Miller was born in the city of his present 
residence, and is a son of Joseph and Caroline 
(Long) Miller. JoMpli Miller was bt>rn in N'ew 

Brighton, and when a young man engaged in \\ 1 .\' l-lll.l ) S. TL'RNER, i)ostmaster at 
boating with his father, but later learned the Hazel Dell, \\a\ne township, and also the pro- 
glass-maker's trade, ami has followed that pur- prietor of the largest general store in the town- 
suit ever since, his connection with that indus- shi|>. located at the above village, was born in 
try spanning a period of over thirty years. Tech- Monongahela Co., W. Va., April 3, 185J. Mis 
nically and in a factory-sense he is a Hatterner; parentage is traced back through ( )lridge and 
the intense heat from the molten glass prevents Sarah Turner to ( )lridge and ( )live Turner, 
the glass-worker from laboring in the sunmier. The grandfather, ( )lridge, Sr., was a native of 
and so our subject's father works in the winter, ICngland and a tiller of the soil, whose first home 
when the temperature is luore agreeable. Dur- in the I'nited States was in Preston County, 
ing the summer months, Mr. Miller acts as su- West \'irginia, where Olridge, Jr., was born. 
perintendent of the Rock Point Picnic Grounds, The boy Olridge learned the wagon-maker's 
which arc located about thirteen miles from New trade, and followed that until his death, which 
Castle; the ground is owned liy the I'ennsylvania occurred in 1853, when our svibject was Ijui a 
R. R. Co. Mr. ^liller is a Deiuocrat. He mar- year old. This sad fatality, caused by a fall from 
ried Caroline Long, a daughter of John Long, a bridge, left six children to the mother's care; 
a native of Lawrence Co., Pa., and five children they were named — George \\ ., James .\., 
were born to them, namely: Walter E., our William R., Winfield S., Martha \\'., and Cora, 
subject; Addie, deceased: I'.lla M.; Hessie C; all of whom are living. Mrs. Turner's maiden 
and .Mfred L. deceased. Thev are meiubers of name was .Sarah Keifover; the burden of sup- 
the Disciples Church. Mrs. .Miller died in i8()i. jxirting and educating all of the children was so 
aged forty-six years. great that after several years of widowhood she 

In the month of June, 1 )r. Miller was joined married J;imes Walf<ird of Fairmont, West \'ir- 

in the bonds of luatrinionv witli Pearl A. Phil- ginia. 



298 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Winfield S. Turner followed agricultural pur- a man who wins golden opinions of his coni- 
suits for several years, and then, learning the car- panions and associates in business and in other 
penter's trade, settled in Mount Morris, Greene walks of life. He is just in his prime, and has 
Co., Pa., where he employed himself in work before him many years of usefulness to Law- 
associated with his trade until 1896, when he rence County, and the grand old Keystone 
came to Hazel Dell, and bought from J- N. State. Ambition and self-confidence wins, 
Marshall that gentleman's stock of general mer- where doubt halts, and Mr. Turner is one who 
chandise. In January, 1897, Mr. Turner bought will never disappoint the confident hopes of his 
a lot on Main Street, and erected thereon a fine friends, either in business, social or political 
building 36.\-40 feet, making a double store, with life. Socially he is a member of I. O. O. F., 
dwelling rooms in the upper story. In IMarch Glen Park Lodge, No. 1016, of Elhvood City, 
he moved the stock into the new building, and Pa. In religious belief he and his wife are 
now offers to the public as neat and attractive a Methodists. 

display as can be found in Lawrence County. Mr. Turner has a clear title to a leading place 
Mr. Turner's business has grown, and there is among Lawrence County's merchants, and it is 
reason for it in the fact of his wide jiopularit}', as a representative of commercial circles that we 
aside from the self-evident superiority of his place his portrait on a preceding page, 
stock, that includes dry goods, men's ready- 
made clothing, hats, caps, boots and shoes, gen- ^^■^■>-m. 

eral notions and in addition a line of grain, hay 

and feed. In his community he is held in high JAC( )B S. ALLEN, a prominent farmer and 

esteem, notwithstanding his comparatively short dealer in lumber, residing in Chewton, Wayne 

residence, being afifable and genial in his man- township, was born in the above township July 

ner, attracting friends on all sides, and the 1, 1847, ^"d was a son of Davis and j\Iary (Van 

natural result has been an unusually successful Emanen) Allen, grandson of Jacob and Eleanor 

start in business. (Munson) Allen, and great-grandson of George 

Air. 'i'urner married Margaret McCausland, Allen. The last-named gentleman came from 

whose father was William McCauslanil of Alle- New Jersey to the Genesee \'alley. New York 

gheny Co., Pa., and the Turner household has State, and from there came to Chewton, where 

had four children born into it; the record is as he took up a settler's claim, which property 

follows: Gertrude, deceased; Grace; Winfield never passed out of the hands of the Allen fam- 

S., Jr.; and \'irginia. Mr. Turner is a Republi- ily, and is now the estate which our subject 

can of the deepest true-blue dye, and his fidelity occupies and farms. He was thrice married, to 

and business ability was suitably rewarded on a Miss McCullon, Miss Newton, and a Aliss Dal- 

Jan. 16, 1897, when he was appointed post- dine. His first wife bore a son, Jacob, during 

master of Hazel Dell. There was merit to the family's residence in New Jersey. This son 

prompt such a recognition, and Mr. Turner is grew up in the Genesee Valley, married his wife 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



29!) 



there, and broug'ht licr with liiiii to Chewton, 
settling where B. W. Cunningham hvcs. Jacob 
Allen later owned the James Guy place, and the 
first store ever opened in Chewton belonged to 
him. Mrs. Allen died in middle life, and -Mr. 
Allen, the grandfather of our subject, reached 
the age of sixty-two before his demise in 1825. 
They left a family, consisting of George, John 
M., Joseph, Daniel, Susanna, Zabina M., Davis. 
There were others in the family, but they did 
not live to grow to maturity. Mr. Allen was in 
the War of 181 2, and was present at the engage- 
ment with the British at Black Rock, which is 
now a part of the City of BuiTalo, N. Y. He was 
a man of good character, strongly religious and 
possessed in short all the characteristics of an 
excellent law-abiding citizen. He was a Pres- 
byterian, antl was one of the founders of the 
Slippery Rock Church. 

Davis Allen, father of the present scion of the 
Allen family, whose life-history we have under- 
taken to briefly outline, bought a farm at Chew- 
ton, where he entered upon a life of toil near to 
nature's heart, but was summoned to the bet- 
ter country while in his early manhood, leaving 
a wife and four small children to mourn his de- 
parture from their midst. Jacob S. was the 
eldest; Ann Eliza married William Kirkland of 
West Bridgewater, Pa.; Mary and David died 
in ciiildluiod. Mrs. Allen lives with her son, and 
has seen the passage of seventy-two years, 
fraught with mingled joy and sadness. 

Very early in life, Jacob S. Allen became em- 
ployed in the lumber liusiness, and in 1873 
bought fifty-three acres of the F.gner farm, tlial 
he chose for a family residence, and set about 
improving and lieautifying the ])lace. l'"or man\' 



years he has been associated with William Kirk- 
land, his brother-in-law, in the lumber business; 
their mode of procedure is to buy tracts of tim- 
ber, cut down the trees that are suitable for good 
lumber, saw the lumber with portable mills, and 
])lace the finished product on the market. They 
have operated botli in Lawrence and Beaver 
counties, and have always been attended with 
successful results. Mr. Allen married Mary 
Irwin, daughter of Nathan Trwin, and she had 
two daughters, Cora and (irace, and passed 
away at the age of twenty-nine. l-l<lna Groover 
became the wife of our subject, and she left a 
son Howard, at her death when twenty-two 
years old. ^Ir. Allen a third time contracted a 
matrimonial alliance, the bride being Clara 
Beck, daughter of Christian I'eck. Mr. Allen 
follows the bent of the family in religious views 
and is a Presbyterian, while in political affairs 
also he adheres to the faith of his fathers and is 
a strong Republican, decided in his opinions and 
courageous in the utterance of them. 



WILLIAM S. I'.IXXIXG, who resides with 
his brother George j., at No. 105 Elm Street, 
New Castle, was born in Allegheny City, ()ct. 
6, 1840. His mental training was obtained in 
the Third Ward school of the latter city, which 
he attended until he was seventeen years of age; 
he then accepted a clerkship in a hat store and 
later went into the grocery business. But 
maciiinery and the meclianical arts proved more 
attractive to him than a prospective business 
life, so he turned to tiie railroads to satisfy his 



;^,00 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

natural bent, and preferring the trade of a ning, a native of Scotland, who married a Miss 
machinist, he se.nircd a place in the railroad Castile. ( )ur subject's father, when a young- 
shops. In ( )ctoher, iS6i. he went to Pittsburg. man. came to Allegheny City, where for a time 
and became one of the most trusted employees he fallowed his trade, and made buskins and 
of the government works at l'"ort I'itt, and had slippers in a shoe factory; then for five years 
the honor of finishing the first twenty-inch gun he was engaged in the grocery business. After 
ever turned out l>y the government under the leaving the grocery business, he entered upon a 
direction of the superintendent. The second river life, and eventually became captain of craft 
gun was turned out mider tlie management of plying on the < )hio and Mississijjpi Rivers, com- 
Alr. I Sinning, who had the entire responsibility nianding at various times the Julia Dean, Clara 
for its successful com])letion. I'rior to the turn- l'"isher, Clara Dean, Clipjier Xo. 2, and others, 
ing of the guns, he also helped tc I make the huge During the summer season the rim would be 
machinery (Ml which the gims were finishcrd, and from Pittsburg to St. Louis, and through the 
assisted in placing the guns in position. I'or winter, when ice obstructed the ( 'hio Ixiver, he 
three years, from nSyj to 1880, Mr. llinning was would work down stream to New Orleans. In 
a member of the fire de])artnient of New Castle, 1S31, he discontinued river life, and in the fol- 
and in May, 1880, de])arted f(.)r the West, finding lowing year Ijccame a conductor on the Ohio & 
work at his trade in the .State uf C'olorado. \^\\r- Pennsylvania R. 1\.; but displaying marked and 
ing the fifteen years he lived in the Centennial very exceptional ability in railroad afifairs and 
State, he was foreman in the sho]is of the Den- exhibiting such a judgment as entitled him to 
ver & Rio ( Irande R. R. at Pueblo. Saliila, Lead- more consideration, he was ai)pointed general 
ville, and Crand juncticin, having entire charge freight agtnt for the Vovt Wayne & Indiana 
of the shops at the latter ])lace throughout the R. R.. which position he acceptably filled for 
last seven )-ears of his sojourn in the West. four years. In 1S56, he was tendered a similar 
William .S. IHnning was married at Cunnis<in. position with the Peimsylvania R. R. and its 
Col.. May 21, 1882. to Miss Catherine Lynch, a leased lines, and accepted, contimung in this 
native of I'.rady's P.end. Pa., and to them were service until his death, wdiich took place in Alle- 
l.)orn three chihlren: William S., Jr.; P)ertlia; gheny Citv, Aiiril 8. i860. He possessed a wide 
and Joseph C, who is attenduig the schools of knowdedge of human nature and business meth- 
New Castle. William S. Pinning is a member ods. and was prominent in public affairs, and, 
of Macy Lodge. No. 55. V. & A. M.. of Grand with the exce])tion of a term as notary public 
Junction, Col. while living in Crestline, Ohio, he would never 
James J. Binning, the father of William S.. accept office, but was always a zealous sup- 
was born in Philadelphia, and in early life j)orter of his party's nominees. In the early 
learned the shoemaker's trade. He was a son months of i860, before his serious illness, he was 
of John and Jane (Hopkins) Pinning, both of an earnest advocate of Stephen A. Douglas as 
Philadelphia, and grandson of Jacob James Pin- a candidate for the Presidency, and had he lived, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 301 

he would have stumped the State for The Little William S.. the eldest, and (k-orge ].. the third 

Giant. He was experienced in making popular in order of birth. John, Charles 11., and F.dwin 

addresses, and was looked to by his party as one S. have departed this life. 

f)f it,'? campaign speakers. Mr. Binning was (leorge J. I'inning was born in Allegheny 
.in earl\ life a member of the liaptist Church, but City, Sept. i6, 1845. At tlie outbreak of the war 
later united with the Methodists. He was a he ran away to join the army, but being under 
member of the Masonic and ( )dd T'ellows fra- the re(|uire(l age, he was rlismissed at the solici- 
ternitics. He married a Miss -Vnu Ivliza Staun- tations of his friends. Securing a clerkshi]) in a 
ton, who was born in her parents' residence on grocery store he remained in that cajnicity a 
Third Street, Pittsburg, in 1819. and died in short time, and tlien came to Xew Castle, and 
New Castle, in XDvemJjer, 1895. Her parents secured a place as feeder in the nail mill, and 
were William and Mary (Evans) Staunton, who working iiimself up to a high position he re- 
were natives of England. .Mar\ I'.vans was a mained in the employ <:)f the same tinn twenty- 
daughter of Thomas ICvans, whose wife was a two years. In 1888, he becaiue comiected with 
daughter of Capt. Th(ini])Siin. an officer in the the N'atural (Jas Co. in Xew Castle, and by earn- 
liritish Army, who was stationed in Xew ^'ork est a])|)lication rose from a common laborer in 
City at the time the mother of Mary was born, the ditches to i)e foreman of the works. The 
At the close of the war, she returned at the age two brothers have a pleasant home at Xo. 105 
of twelve with her parents to England, where I"lm Street, where lliey live in C(incor<l, and ex- 
she in after years married Thomas F-vans, and tend the heartiest of welcomes to their nunier- 
with him came to America to build up a home, ous ac(|uaintances, and warm friends. 
William Staunton was born in Chester, England, 
and came to America in 1818, iiaving become 
disgusted with some of the luiglish laws, that 
seemed to him to be unjust and oppressive. He 

landed at Xew York City, and weiU direct to WILLIAM P.. RODENBAUGH, a leading 
Philadelphia, where he went into business as a contractor of New Castle, was born at Middle 
broker with a Quaker gentleman, and when Lancaster, Butler Co., Pa., Sept. 22, 1863, and is 
their business became somewhat extended, he a son of John and Christiana (Beighley) Roden- 
came to Pittsburg to take charge of a branch baugh, and grandson of Jacob and Mary Mag- 
office they established there. In 1838 or 1839 dalene (Brow-n) Rodenbaugh. 
he came to what is now known as Cnion town- Jacob Rodenbaugh was liorn in Easton, Pa., 
shij), Lawrence County, purcliased a farm, and and was a member of an old Pennsylvania 
made it his home the remainder of his days, Dutch family. He married his wife there, and 
passing away in the city of New Castle, at the with one child, Jesse, came to Butler County, 
age of seventy-two years. Of the five children which was considered then to be on the very 
born to James J. I'.inning, Inu two survive, edge of civilization, and settled at Old Har- 



302 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



niony. Butler Co.,wliere he bought a small place, 
a few acres of which he cleared and put into 
crops, and there reared his family, some of whom 
are living- to-day on the old homestead. He was 
by trade a pump-maker, and made the "pen- 
stalks" for his pumps by boring out the core of 
a straight oaken log of the proper dimensions. 
Both of our subject's grandparents lived to be 
over eighty years old. Their children were: 
Jessie; Josepli : John; Abraham; \\'illiam; Cath- 
erine; Polly; Susan; Rebecca; and Sarah. Of 
the above family, all were born in Butler Coun- 
ty, except Jessie, who was born in Easton. 

John Rodenbaugh learned the carpenter's 
trade, and quite early in life began figuring on 
building contracts, taking up his residence in 
1871 in New Castle. In 1875, he built the Ce- 
ment Works at Wampum, this county, and was 
millwright for the company until his death at 
the age of forty-four of cancer, July 8, 1877. 
The children born to him were: Charles M., 
who died at the age of four; Almeda; William 
B.; Ella; Minnie; Alvin J.; and Annie. His 
widow married James D. McKinley and moved 
to Venango County, where our subject was 
reared and educated. 

William B. learned the carpenter's trade, and 
labored at his craft in Pittsburg, I'.utler, and 
New Castle. In 1886, he came to New Castle, 
and as a contractor and as an architect built up 
a large and highly profitable business, establish- 
ing himself in the estimation of the people as a 
man of ability and fertile ideas. Finished pro- 
ducts of his hands and brain may be seen on 
many of the principal streets of the city, and in- 
clude, among a large mmiber of beautiful 
homes, the handsome residences of R. P. Mar- 



shall; Dr. McKee, Capt. Gilliland, J. G. McCon- 
ahy, E. E. Seavy, B. A. Winternitz, and the Cro- 
ton M. E. Church. Mr. Rodenbaugh has also 
built and sold a munber of houses as a personal 
speculation. 

Our subject married Miss Kittie B. Blaine, 
daughter of James A. Blaine of New Castle, and 
has been made the parent of three children: 
Beulah, born May 17, 1888; Rena, born July 8, 
1890, died Dec. 28, 1890; and Elsie Dorothy, 
Ijorn July 19, 1895. Mr. Rodenbaugh is a 
strong adherent of Republican principles, but 
owing to the magnitude of his business, which 
demands his whole and undivided attention, he 
has never felt that he could conscientiously 
accept a nomination for office. He and his wife 
liave many of the warmest of friends in the M. 
E. Church, of which they are leading members. 



J( )SEPH J. V. CAMPBELL, a retired con- 
tractor of New Castle, well known throughout 
Lawrence County, was born in Mahoning town- 
ship, Feb. I, 1837. He is a son of Alexander 
Campbell, grandson of Robert Campbell, and 
great-grandson of John Campbell. 

( )ur subject's grandfather was born in Edin- 
burgh, ."^ciitland, and worked at the weaver's 
trade until he inunigrated to America. After 
his marriage with Maria Stewart, also a native 
of Scotland, he came to this country, and settletl 
on a farm, located near West Liberty, Pa., where 
he was engaged in agricultural labors the rest 
of his life, dying at the advanced age of ninety- 
six )cars. His wife lived to be seventy-two years 
(lid. Their children bore the following names: 




/ 



PERRY MAITLAND. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 305 

Jolin; Robert; Thomas; Henry; Alexander; Morrow. They have brought up five children. 

Ruth; Margaret P. (Wigton); and William. as follows: Willis L., a contractor; Thomas A.. 

Alexander Campbell was born in Edinburgh, who married Elizabeth Mosher and has tour 
Scotland, and was but a boy when his parents children — tleorge. Leonard, Elizabeth and Wil- 
brought with him the rest of the family then lis; Addison married Lovica Connors and has 
born to this country. He followed the trade of one child, Albert L. ; Laura I>. married Joseph 
a carpenter and millwright in connection with Knoll; and Xewton L., a painter by trade. Mr. 
farming. The old homestead remained his home CanipbcU's family favor the Baptist Church. He 
until 1X34. when he sold it and moved to Parks- is a strong Republican, and active in his parti- 
town. Pa., where he bought a farm and engaged sanship. Socially he is a member of Lodge Xo. 
in agricultural pursuits for fifteen years; at 406, Knights of Pythias, 
length disposing of that property, he bought a 
grist and saw-mill at Covert Station and was 
identified with the milling business three years, 
lie then moved to Xew Castle, where he lived 

two years, and from there went to Edenburg, PI'^RRV MAITLAXD, deceased, late an ex- 
Pa., where he died at the age of fifty-five. He tensive real estate dealer and land-owner of the 
married Cornelia Covert, daughter of Garrett city of Xew Castle, was born in the town June 
Covert; she passed away aged sixty-seven years. 20, 1844. and was a son of William N. Maitland, 
Their children were: James; Garrett; Margaret who came from Chester Co., Pa., and settled two 
(Fitch); Henry; Thomas; Orlando; McKec; miles north of Xew Castle in this county on a 
and Joseph J. V. They were Methodists in their tract of land, which he cleared and out of it 
religious belief, and Mr. Campbell was a Whig, made a fruitful farm of 150 acres. At first he 

Josq:)h J. V. Campbell, after receiving but a lived in a log-house, and then built a frame 
limited school education, became an apprentice dwelling, in which he resided until his death at 
in Xew Castle to the carpenter's and wagon- the age of sixty-four. lie married Camilla Pol- 
maker's trade. lie followed the carpenter's lock, a daughter of 1 )r. i'ollock, w ho was one of 
trade, and was located at a number of places, the earlv phvsicians and surgeons of the county ; 
but finally settled in Xew Castle in 1881, and .Mrs. Maitland lived to be seventy-eight years 
began to figure on contract work, and to under- old, before she was taken away to rejoin those 
take large jobs in the building line; he was thus gone before. Our subject's father was a man 
engaged until 181^5, when he turned over the who always identified himself with progress; 
business to his son, Louis L., and since then has sound in his judgment and careful and shrewd 
lieen content to rest from his labors and to en- in his investments, he rarely failed to reap hand- 
joy a peaceful, retired life. some profits from his ventures, and thus accu- 

In 183S, Mr. Campbell married Mary Mor- mulated a comfortable fortune ([uite early in life, 

row, daughter of Matthew and Sarah (P>ullman) .\fter getting well started in life, he purchased 



306 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



what is known now as the Maitland Square, On the 23rd of May, 1871, Mr. Maitland mar- 
offered for sale in 1845, f^ir a yoke of oxen, ried Miss Adda F. Farver, daughter of Joseph 
Far-seeing as he was and despite his confidence C. and Nancy (Carl) Farver, and granddaughter 
in the hiture growth and wealth of New Castle, of Samuel Farver, who was a son of John Far- 
he little realized that the city should arrive at its ver, who was a farmer of the State of Maryland. 
])resent conditinn of prosperity, or that the .^amuel I'^arver came to this county about the 
Square should increase in value so many fold. l)eginning of this century in 1800 and settled in 
The propertv then liad on it a few small build- the wilderness, where he marked out his farm 
ings, of which onls' one was framed; u|)on his and built a log-cabin: the remainder of his days 
taking possession of it he buill a number of were spent in clearing the land, and being a mill- 
small houses, which he rented, and also erected wright lyv trade in working in the l-'isher .Mill, 
a doubli' store, lie was unassuming and re- The 5(X) acres were divided among his children 
served in manner, .-md ;dthough \\ell and (avor- after his decease, and our subject's wifi' and her 
abl\ known, he never sought i)ublic notoriety. sister own at llu' present time the old homestead, 
I'ive cliildii-n, all living but one, were born to on which .Mr. I''ar\i.r in his later years built a 



him, as follows: John R., who now resides on 
the old homestead; Irene, who makes her home 
in New Castle; Addie R., who married < ). C'. 
L"arl of i'asadena, Cal.; William .\L of Spring- 



frame house and barns. He married Ueliecca 
Carl, a niece of Thomas I'"isher, and slu' brought 
him a lai'ge tract o{ the [•'isher farm. Sanniel 
h'arver served in the War of 1 81 2 as a sharp- 



field, Misouri; and I'errx, dece;isetl, the sid)jeet shooter at I'ort Erie. His death occurred in 

of this personal history. 1861, when aged seventy-seven years; his wife 

( )ur sul)ject attended the i)nblic schools, and joined those gathered on the other shore at the 



in early manhiKjd began to clerk for W. R. L'len- 
denin in the latter's dry goods store, and in a 
few years time he engaged in the grocerx- lousi- 
ness, locating on the corner where the Citizens' 
ISank now stands. In 1874 he built the tliree- 
sti:)ry block, which later on he sold to the Citi- 
zens' Rank. After conducting a store for some 
\ears, he moved the old store to .Mill Street, and 



age of eighty-five. Their children were: John; 
Thomas F. ; Taylor; Josejjh C. ; William; 
and ]\Iary. Joseph C. k'arver was born 
in Shenar.go township. December 4, 1817, 
and all his life was engaged in farming 
and caring for his parents, and after their death 
inherited the farm of some 150 acres, on which 
he l)uilt an entireh' new set of buildings. He 



remodeled and enlarged the structure, making easily ranked as one of the most enterprising 
it bright and new throughout, and thereafter and industrious men in the town, and was high- 
rented it for store purposes. For the past four- ly thought of by all who knew his good points, 
teen years lie dealt in real estate, and was a verv Seventy-cme \ears measured the life allotted to 
heavy ta.xpayer. In 1886, he built a fine resi- him, his death taking place in i88<>' his wife at 
dence at No. 161 North Jefferson Street, where the age of sixty-eight is still living; she was a 
he resideil till his death, Aug. 6. 1897. daughter of Joshua Carl. To Joseph antl .\ancy 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. ^07 

(Carll l-"ar\cr were horn the following children: Stewart and Catherine (Mershimer) lioyd; tlie 

Samuel, wiio lived three years; Joshua, who latter was a native of I^iwrence Countv, being 

(lied at the age of six months: Adda V. our suh- horn in Shenango township near tlie city of Xew 

ject's widow; and Margaret !'".. wlio with her Castle, a daughter of Adam and Catherine 

nujther looks after the l-'arver homestead. They (Stickcl) Mershimer. Mrs. Mershimer first saw 

are Methodists in their religious ])references. the light of day in Westmoreland Co., Pa., and 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Maitland was not was a daughter of Sanniel Stickel, a noted gun- 
blessed willi children, hut for a number of maker of the early days, and later in vears a 
\ears Miss M\rtle harver, daugiiler of ( )rrin successful farmer. .\dam MiTsliimer's birth- 
i'arvcr, lived witli llicm. and was a great source |)l;ice was near Reading. I'a.: he was l)orn in 
of enjoyment, for tjiey were very fond of young i"'/), and died in 1865. lie devoted his time 
jjcople and welcomed her friends with the great- principally to farming, although he also cou- 
est warmth and hospitality. Mr. Maitland was a ducte<l a plow manufacturing business of no 
Democrat. We have |)lace(l the portrait of the small dimensions. He served his country in a 
subject of this sketch on a preceding jiage in distinguished manner in the War of 1S12. The 
pnjximity to this, trusting that it will be of great father t)f Adam Mershimer, Sebastian, was born 
-service in perpetuating his good name and deeds, at sea, w hile his parents were on their way from 
and in calling to mind in future years his many C.ermany to find a home in America. He fol- 
virtues of mind and heart. lowed the trade of wagon-making, and served 

for seven years in the Revolution, in recognition 
of which services he was awarfled a pension and 
a soldier's tract of land in the "donation" dis- 
trict, lie died in 1S45. at tile age of eighty-nine. 

JOSEPH H. P.OVU of Princeton. Slippery Robert Stewart Boyd, father of the subject of 

Rock township, Lawrence Co.. Pa., one of the this briefly outlined history, came into the world 

most active and energetic men in Western Penn- June 9, 1833 ^^" ^ ia^rm in Slippery Rock town- 

sylvania. is a good examjjle of what constant ship. He passed his boyhood as did the sons of 

effort, constantly directed, can in a sheirt time that day. and eventually learne<l the carpenter's 

accomplish. Some say that nowadavs oppor- trade. For years he followed this vocation in 

tunities to get on in the world are not as fre- Lawrence. ISutler and Mercer Comities, and is 

quent as they once were. P.e that as it inav. a at ])reseiit an active tiller of the soil on a small 

young man who does not wait for o])portunitv farm in Slippery Rock townshi]). The parents 

to come his way but goes ojjportunity's way. as of Mr. lioyd. and jiaternal grandparents of our 

has the subject of this sketch, is bound to find subject, were John and Dorcas (McWillianis) 

results quite satisfactorv to his taste. Boyd, the latter a daug-liter of Robert Mc- 

Mr. lioyd was horn in .Slip])er\- Rock town- Williams, whose wifi'. a .Miss Wilkes, came 

slii[). ( )ct. 2. 183S. lie was a son of Robert from Ireland, jciin I'.oyd was a son of Josepii 



SOS BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Boyd, who for many years was engaged in mer- ])arents are active in social and cluircli matters, 

cantilc pursuits, and who died in New Castle at being members of the Presbyterian Church. In 

the age of eighty. politics, Mr. Boyd is an independent Democrat. 

Joseph H. Boyd, our suljjcct, lived until he He is very alert in fraternal matters, being a 
was six years of age in his native township. His member of Scott Council. Royal Arcanum, No. 
father tlien moved with the family into Butler 682; Round Head Lodge, I. (.). O. F., No. 377: 
County, where he remained until he was seven- and Princeton Council, Jr. ( ). U. A. M., No. 402. 
teen years of age. At that age our subject's Afr. Boyd is in all afifairs a man of broad ideas, 
school-days ended, and he began working in the It is in business relations, however, that he is at 
oil regions and on a farm to support himself, his best. He does not believe in waiting for 
At the age of twenty, the now young man came trade to come to hini, but he goes after business 
to Princeton, and commenced to learn his trade, with a force and energy that gets it. As a sales- 
that of l)lacksniithing in the shop of David man, he is second to very few, it being tnith- 
Brackinger. Two years were sufficient for him fully said that in his vehicle line he sells on an 
to master the craft. He ver\' soon bought the average one article for every day in the year, 
business of his master, and remained in the old As a farrier and blacksmith he has a most en- 
shop some four or five years. Then as a result viable reputation far and wide. No one can 
of his steady prosperity he built his present coui- strike the anvil a truer blow or place a shoe with 
modious (|uarters. At the beginning of his busi- greater nicety than he. C)f late, when so many 
ness life. Mr. Boyd was a manufacturer of bug- have comidained of hard times, and were sitting 
gies and wagons. His trade soon grew to be too around, Micawber-like, for something to turn 
brisk for him to sup])l\- the demand out of his up, Mr. Boyd has, with cheerful smile and kind- 
own shop, so he forthw ith put in a selected line ly greeting for all, gone out after business. His 
of vehicles from other reliable makers. Farm- surroundings show that he obtained what he 
ing im]ilenients were soon added along with went after too. Times are never dull with him, 
other agricultural machiner\-. This business for he won't have it that way. 
has grown into such proportions that now Air. 

Boyd contemplates in the near future increasing m-.-,^-^*^ 

his facilities, and adding a full stock (jf shelf and 

heavy hardware, together with the usual acccs- J. JOHNSTON FISHER, an enterprising 

S(jry lines. young grocer of New Castle, Pa., was born in 

Mr. rtoyd was married Fcl). fj, 1862, at Prince- West New Castle, Pa., ( )ct. 10, 1871, and is a 

ton, to Mary E. Sechler, a daughter of Abraham son of Lewis A. and Mellissa (Morrow) I'lshcr, 

and Caroline (Houk) Sechler. From this union both natives of Lawrence Co.. Pa. He comes 

there lias resulted seven ehihlren: Kittie; Mina from a family that has been identified with the 

and Nina, twins, the former now deceased; Wil- growth of Western Penns\ l^■ania for a century 

lie (deceased); Loy; dearth; and loseph. Both and a half, and whose patriotism and loyalty to 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



309 



the Govcrnnient has never been questioned in by a httle clearing, in tiie midst of which 
the slightest particular. stood a log hut, where some pioneer set- 
Thomas Fisher, the grc^t-grandfather of our tier had started in to clear and improve the 
subject, was a farmer and a tavern-keeper of land. Mr. Fisher remained in the service until 
Laurel Hill, Westmoreland Co.. Pa., and in that the close of the war, and after the Act of 1876 
early day occupied a very high ])lace. indeed, in was passed by Congress, the mother of our sub- 
the estimation of the few settlers of that neigh- ject drew a pension for his services to the Gov- 
borhood. To him and his good wife were born ernment. After he returned from the camp and 
two children: Thomas, the gran<lfather of j. battle-field of war to assume a place among the 
Johnston, and 7'olly. who married Andrew peaceful citizens of the land, he purchased a six- 
Lewis of Westmoreland Co., Pa., and bore him horse team and freighted merchandise from 
five children, as follows: Thomas. Joseph. Philadelphia to Pittsburg over the mountains: 
Ellen. Alary, and Elvira. They were Presbyter- the latter place was still known by its old Eng- 



ians in tlieir religious belief. an<l in his politics 
Mr. Fisher was a ^^'hig. 

Thomas Fisher. Jr., only son of Tiiomas. was 
educated in the common schools of his native 
town, and after securing what schooling tliat he 
could, he clerked for a time in his father's inn. 
At that time the War of 1812 was being waged. 



lish name of Fort Pitt. Later on in company 
with several others he engaged in the manu- 
facture of salt — the process was a simple one and 
much in use to-day, it was that of pumping the 
brine from a salt-well and cvajjorating the water 
till the dry salt had been obtained; the salt sold 
for $1 a bushel and the business paid them hand- 



and recruits were being called for. so young some profits f<ir three or four years. He then 
Fisher enlisted for the service, and under Capt. moved four miles to a point on the Monon.gahela 
John Hill of Westmoreland County, went to r.al- River, where he engaged in mining coal, ami 
timorc. Md.. which was then the headf|uartcrs remained there until the fall of 1836. He then 
for tlie troops. From P.altimorc the company moved to Hickory township, this county, and 
was sent with many more to the front, the desti- bought an unimproved tract of land in the wil- 
nation being Flrie. Pa.; while en route, they derness and thereafter was engaged in clearing 
camped on what is known as Grant's Hill, a the land and tilling the soil. He was a very in- 
short distance from Pittsburg, where they rested dustrious man even when com])ared to those 
three davs. At that time, neither in Pittsburg I'^rdy pioneers who first opened up Western 



nor in .'Mlcghcny were there any railroads, pub- 
lic works, coal industries of any kind, nor were 
there any buildings of any size or significance 
in cither city. The country was almost in its 
original state of nature, with the exception of 
where now and then the monotony of forest and 
open plain, mountain and valley was broken 



Pennsylvania, and was considered for very good 
reasons to be quite prosperous. He was born 
Nov. 10, 1 79 1, and died Feb. 14, 1871, and was 
therefore in his eightieth year when he was taken 
to his home on high. In his political belief be 
was a stanch Republican, but was not a kind of 
man who aspired to office. He married Sarah 



310 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



Jolinstoii, a daughter of a prominent lawyer of now occupied by Mr. Fisher. Our subject han- 

Beaver l'"alls, Pa., and to tliem were Ijorn eiglit dies a choice line of staple and fancy groceries 

children, as follows: Thomas G., who married fcjr family consumption and has established an 

Mary Burns, an<l ha<l five children — Burns, enviable trade among the Ijest families of the 

George, Willis, Amy, and Sarah; Caroline, dc- town, and extending all over the city. He is 

ceased; Mary Ann married William Tattan, and uniformly successful, and may be considered as 

they had two children — Thomas, and Sarah; one of New Castle"s most enterprising young 

McGiffin married Tjh- A. Lindsay, and they men. As the son of one who wore the blue, he 

were given four children — Amelda J., jnlinstim is proud nf ^his father's record, and takes nuich 

L., Lillie T-. and .Sarah E. ; Sarah married John interest in the local Camp of the Sons of Veter- 

Crowl, and their union resulted in four chil- ans, of which he is a leading member. He is a 

dren — William, Alice, Nannie, and Mary; anil Republican, ])i)liticall\ . and a member and at- 

Lewis A., the father of our subject. They favored tendant of the M. E. Cluu-ch. 
the Presbyterian Cluu'ch in religious matters nf 
creed and faith. < )ur subject's grandmother died 
in i8<)2, aged ninelv-two years. 

Lewis A. l-'isher, upon reaching tlu' \ears of 
young manhood, the Civil War then being in ALEXANDER NEWELL, a resjjected agri- 
progress, enlisted in the I'nited States service culturist of New Castle, residing on his farm 
in the looth Reg. Pa. \'o\. Inf., and served about which is situated within the jirescnt city limits, 
four years under the Stars and Stripes, ^^'hen was born in the city June 6, 1849, and is a son of 
he returned from the army, he learned the car- Alexander Newell, and grandson of Archibald 
penter's trade and worked sixteen years in the Newell, who was a native of Countv Down, Ire- 
Crawford rianing Mill, and since leaving the land, where he lived and reared his family of 
Crawford Mill has been engaged very success- seven cliildren, who were nanie<l as follows: 
fully in contracting. He married Mellissa Alcjr- Ellen (McKibben); Peggy (Gordon); Archibald, 
row, daughter of David Morrow, and she bore Jr.; William; Thomas; Alexander; and Mary, 
him four children who were named: J- Johnston; deceased. 

Leander C; Kathryne K.; and Harry S. They Our subject's father came to this country at 

are ]\Iethodists in their church preferences. the age of seventeen years; he landed in Phila- 

J. Johnston Fisher was educated in the public delphia, and from there went to HuiUingdon. 
schools of New Castle, and for several years fol- Pa., where he remained a few days. He then re- 
lowing the completion of his educatiiMi he was crossed the seas to his own beloved isle, the 
employed as a clerk in various grocery stores home of many dear friends, and married Sarah 
of the city. On A])ril 10. 1894, he purchased McNealy, with whom he returned to Hunting- 
the stock of groceries and business of J- Will dnn, which continued to be his place of residence 
]\litchell which had been cerried on at the stand a number of vears. He then moved to Mahon- 




GEORGE H. McKlNLEY. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 313 

ingtown, Lawrence County, and a few years of Robert and Drusilla Campbell of Scott town- 
later settled at Xew Castle, where he died in ship, Lawrence County. ( )ur subject's children 
i86i, aged fifty-two years. While a resident of are: Percy; Clarence; John; I'rank; William; 
the borough of Mahoningtown, he was engaged Sarah D. ; and Robert A. Mr. Xewell has al- 
in the mercantile business, and just previous to ways been a firm believer in the Jacksonian 
coming to New Castle he accepted the position Democratic principles, and is found without fail 
of collector for the old canal, giving his business in the councils of his party. The family as a 
over to one of his brothers and moving to Xew wliole favor the United Presbyterian Church, 
Castle to assume the duties of his new position, and may be found among its regular worship- 
He was appointed postmaster under lUichanan's i)ers. 
administration, but was forced to resign from 

that office si.x months previous to the expiration ^^-^.^^^ 

of his term, because of poor health, and did not 

subsequently regain his health. His life com- GEORGE H. McKI\Ll-:V. a veteran rail 

panion survived him thirty years, dying in 1891, road conductor, now employeil on a passenger 

aged eighty years. In their religious sympathies run of the Pennsylvania line, was born in Xew 

and inclinations they favored the Presbyterian Castle, Aug. 21, 1850. Dating from the time 

Church. Xine children as follows were born to when he was ten years of age until he had at- 

them: Mary (Hill); George, deceased; Eliza- tained his majority his life was cast among 

beth (IVisby): Emma (Leslie); William; Susan; strangers, and whatever he has now has been 

Alexander, our subject; James; and Jennie acquired by his own unaided efforts and after 

(Coffey). nuich up-hill work. The first ten years of his 

Our subject was reared and educated in the life were spent in Xew Castle, and the succeed- 
city of Xew Castle; for a trade and an occupa- ing decade in Xew Wilmington, and his educa- 
tion he to(jk up the trade of mill brick laying, tion w-as obtained in the schools of these two 
and followed the same until 1892, supporting places, his attendance at school extending till 
liimself well, anil managing to lay U]) each year his eighteenth year, and being of a very desul- 
a snug sum of money. In 1892, he bought a tory and nuich-intcrrupted character, for it was 
farm, which was at that time without the city not always possible for him to attend school 
limits, but is now located within, because of the when other boys of his age did. He lost his 
city's extension; it furnishes beautiful building mother at the age of five, and five years later 
lots on Pittsburg Street, which his own residence his father broke up housekeeping, and from the 
faces, and those in search of a nice location for age of ten years he has successfully battled with 
a home are attracted much by its many ailvant- life's problems. He began railroad life on the 
ages. lowest round, working on the section gang for 

Mr. Xewell was joined in the holy bonds of the P. & F. W., but he was not fated to remain 

niatrimonv in 1875 to Eliza Campbell, daughter stationarx in siu'li a position, l)Ut soon rose to 



3U 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, lAWRENCE COUNTY. 



a place on the work train, ancl from there was 
advanced to tlie positiiin nf l)rakeinan on a 
freight, and in less than twci years was ])laced in 
charge of a freight train as condnctor, which 
position he filled some six years. It was during 
this period that a serious and almost fatal acci- 
dent liefell Air. McKinley; he was thrown from 
the top of the train, and in falling his left arm 
was thrown under the wheels, which crushed the 
hones from the elbow to the shoulder; it was 
deemed so serious that the surgeons determined 
that amputation must be resorted to in order to 
sa\e his life. But his endurance was wonderful, 
and bv pure grit he iiulled through without any 
such operation, and has so far recovered the use 
of his arm, that its mangled condition would 
never be remarked by one unacquainted with 
the accident. The succeeding seven years Mr. 
"AIcKinley was conductor of a local mixed train, 
running from Yoimgstown, Ohio: in June, 1886. 
he was given a passenger run. and moved to 
Alliance. ( )hio. In April, i8(;6, he returned to 
his birthplace, and now alternates with his 
brother Willis J. AIcKinley on two runs over 
the Pennsylvania R. R. 

James McKinley, the grandfather of I'leorge 
H., married a Aliss Steele, and they moved from 
the eastern part of the State to the western jiart 
at an early day: the entire family, consisting of 
some eight or ten, at that time took up residen- 
ces in this part nf the State and in Eastern Ohio, 
notably Stark County. Their son, Alexander, 
was l)orn near Alt. Jackson, Pa., and married 
Elizabteh Alorehead. who was born on the same 
farm where the l)irth of her children occurred, 
in wdiat is now a ])art of the city of New Castle. 
Elizabeth Morehead was a daughter of James 



Alorehead. Alexander AIcKinley was a shoe- 
maker by trade, and followed that trade in early 
life and in the later years of his life. During 
miildle life he was em|)loyed in various capaci- 
ties on the railroads. In ]886, he suffered a 
stroke of paralysis, from which he never recov- 
ered, and died at the residence of his son, Willis 
J., June 14, 1896, at the age of seventy-four 
years. He was a veteran of the late war, and 
served through a nine months term of enlist- 
ment. ( )f this first marriage, three children were 
born: ( ieorge H.: Willis J., whose personal his- 
tory appears elsewhere in this liook of Biog- 
raphies: and Elizabeth. He married as his sec- 
ond wife, Elizabeth Houston, and this union 
resulted in three more children, nnmely: John 
C. of Xew Brighton, Pa.: Hugh of Ashtabula 
Harbor, ( )hio: and Margaret, the wife of C. C. 
Kelso of Turtle Creek, Pa. He was married a 
third time but no children follow-ed. 

Cieorge H. AIcKinley entered into the married 
state Sept. 17, 1874, at Alt. Jackson, Pa., his 
nu])tials at that date being consunmiated with 
Elizabeth Howard, a native of ( )ld Enon, Pa., 
and a daughter of Edward L. and Sarah (Lane) 
Howard, the former a son of Prosper Howard, 
a native of England. Edward L. Howard is a 
veteran of the late war. having enlisted three 
times in the Uni(;)n armies. At the first call for 
troops in 1 861, he enlisted, and was discharged 
at the expiration of one year's service because of 
illness contracted in the army. On his recov- 
er}- he re-enlisted under the nine months call, 
and again in 1864 became a volunteer soldier, 
serving till the close of the war. It was during 
this last service that he received a severe wound 
in the head at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 31.') 

on June 6. 1864, from tlic eflfects of which he is WILLIAM lll'.XRV WEINSCHEXK, a 

still a sufferer. To him anil his wife were given prosperous market-gardener, residing in Slien- 

six children, as follows: Elizabeth, the wife of ango township about three miles south of New 

Mr. McKinley; William, deceased; Ella, de- Castle, was born in Taylor township, ]May 28, 

ceased; Alosia (Stoner), who lives in Butler 1866, and is a son of George G. and Margaret 

County; Harry, a resident of Mahoningtown, (Mack) Weinschenk. being the oldest of the fol- 

this county: and Robert (^f Lowellsville, Ohio, lowing family of children — .■\nnie M.. who mar- 

The home of Mr. McKinley has been blessed ried Charles E. Alborn. the miller at Big Run 

with the birth of one daughter, Sadie May, who Mill. .Mice. Margaret, deceased, and William 

was married Dec. 23, 1895, to Howard Taylor, Henry, the subject of this sketch, 

a minister of the M. E. Ciuirch, now a student Our subject's father was born April 10, 1835, 

of the Massachusetts Theological Seminary of his birth-place being in Geradstctten, Wurtem- 

Boston. from which point he fills the pulpits of berg, (iermanv; he was a son of John G. and 

churches in the surrounding towns, while pur- Katherinc (Retter) Weinschenk. He coni- 

suing his studies for higher proficiency in his menced making his own way at the age of fifteen 

chosen calling. Our subject and his w'ife are years, and when twenty-two years of age. having 

members of the Eirst M. E. Church of New thoroughly mastered the art of gardening and 

Castle on Jefferson Street. In politics. Mr. Mc- floriculture, he came to America as a field of 

Kinley is an old-line Democrat, and cannot greater promise and jjossibilitics. He began his 

countenance with his su])iwrt the alliance of Jef- ocean voyage in May. 1857. and thirty-five days 

fersonian principles with visionary jiopulistic elapsed from the time he left the i)ort of Havre, 

doctrines. He is a member of the ( )rder of Rail- before he was again on terra firma at Xew^ York 

way Conductors. Division Xo. 177. of Alliance. City. He arrived in the city of Xew Castle June 

Ohio. He has built for his home a commodious 21, 1857. having come on immediately from 

residence at 353 West Washington Street, where Xew York, and at once secured employment at 

he has surrounded himself with all the comforts gardening for Mr. Butz at Croton, which gen- 

and Ki.xuries of an ideal .\nicrican home. His tleman was then the leading gardener of Xew 

genial, sunny nature, like a magnetic lodestone Castle: he was in his employ for two years, and 

has attracted to him a wide circle of friends, then worked for a period in the service of Mr. 

much after his own nature, and the person who Peebles. Five or six years were spent in tlie 

enjoys their hospitality and cheer will ever re- .South in and about the city of Louisville, Ky., 

nieniber it as one of the delightful moments of having charge of private gardens of the rich 

tiieir life. His friends will view with interest his planters; the war left the country so impover- 

l)ortrait, which appears on a page in proximity ished, that Mr. Weinschenk found little demand 

tcj this. A man of his standing in the commu- for his work, so he returned to the vicinity of 

nity and in railroad circles is entitled to the ut- Xew Castle, worked for Mr. Butz for nearly a 

most consideration and respect. year, and llicn purcliased a tract of land in Tay- 



316 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

lor township, where he engaged in gardening an imposing picture of country comfort as 
about eight years, and then disposing of his viewed from the highway, and this idea of com- 
])roperty there bought his present farm in 1873, fort is tlie more pronounced the more one sees 
taking possession the following year. The home of the interior, with its many provisions for con- 
garden comprises twenty-four acres of land in venience, and well-adapted furnishings. Mr. 
the highest state of cultivation, with half an acre \Veinschenk has his land in a high state of culti- 
under glass, and this tract of land is utilized to vation and the whole is an ideal garden spot; he 
the utmost in raising and bringing to perfection finds a ready home-market for his fruits and veg- 
•splen<lid crops of fruits and vegetables. He is etables in New Castle, and the neighboring bor- 
also the owner of various other tracts of land in oughs. He is entitled to rank among the first 
different parts of the county. gardeners of the county from his experience and 
Our subject was nine years of age when his training, and bv reason of his success in ol:)tain- 
parents moved from Taylor town.ship to Shen- ing uniforml\- good results. 

ango townshi|i, and the latter township has con- Air. W'einschenk was married March 22, 1894, 

tinned U\ ho his home since. He attended the in Shenango township to Lavina Reed, daugh- 

(.listrict schools and the public schools of New ter of John C. and Phoebe Ann (Iddings) Reed, 

Castle until he was sixteen years old, and sup- and sister of William E. and Luther M. Reed, 

])lemented this preliminary education with a neighlx.irs of our subject. They have Ijeen 

course at Duff's Business College at Pittsburg, blessed by the birth of one child. Marguerite, 

Pa., graduating from that institution March 7, born Nov. 16, 1895. Phoebe Ann Iddings was 

1884. L'ntil March, 1894, Mr. Weinschenk was a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Hoopes) 

a member of his father's household, and assistant Iddings, and granddaughter on her mother's 

to his father in the hitter's gardening operations; side of Ezra Hoopes of Chester Co., Pa. John 

in this way he secured a splendid training in gar- C. Reed, an account of whose life may l:)e found 

dening, and in 1894 was in complete trim to in this work included in that of his sons, was a 

engage in work for himself. He accordingly son of William Reed, who was burn in Zanes- 

rented a ninety-acre tract of his father a few ville, (Ihio, in 1803, a son of John and Margaret 

miles south of the homestead, and subsequently (Lutton) Reed, the latter a daughter of Ralph 

jiurchased sixty acres of the tract, still renting Lutton. John Reed was born in Ireland, and 

the remaining thirty acres. On this farm in settled in 1806 in ()hio. and then came to Lavv- 

1896 he built one of the most elegant and com- rence County; his father, Michael Reed, lived 

l)lete country residences in Shenango town- and died in Ireland; they followed the trade of 

ship, or, in fact, in the county; it is of weavers in the Old Country. William Reed, the 

niiidern architecture and an adajitation of father of John C, married Anna Canon, who 

the 1)1(1 colonial style, which has proved itself to was born in Alahoningtown, Feb. 10, 1805, and 

be one of the best for country houses; the struc- is now residing at the advanced age of ninety- 

turc is erected on a conmianding site, and makes two years with her granddaughter in New Cas- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 317 

tic; her mind is very clear and memory good for Henry, and 1-^lizabetli. These, the only nieni- 

one of her years, and her bodily strength is rea- hers of the family who grew up, l)ecanie valuable 

sonably good. She is a daughter of James and members of society, and by their native German 

Betsy (Hendrickson) Canon, the latter a daugh- thrift all provided well for their children and for 

ter of Dr. Cornelius Hendrickson, the first phy- their own old age. 

sician to settle in the boundary of the county: Charles Streib was born in the (ierinan home 
he attained the extreme age of ninety-six years, in IJaden. in ( )ctober. 1848, and was six years 
and when within one year of his decease rode of age when the famil\ came to America. He 
six miles on horseback to set a broken limb, learned the butcher's trade and worked at it for 
James Canon was a son of James Canon of Shir- a short time. He later clerked in Xew Castle, 
leysburg. Pa. More of this interesting family is and then went into the manufacture of soap with 
recorded elsewhere in this work. Mr. W'ein- John Treser under the firm name of Treser & 
schenk and his wife are members of tlie Savan- .Streib: in later years he conducted the Adam 
nail M. E. Church. ( )ur subject early allied Treser farm, and died with consumption April 6, 
himself with the Democratic party, and follows 1S87. He married Lovina Treser, daughter of 
its leadership in national, state and local ])oli- Adam Treser, whose sketch will be found else- 
tics. He is a member of New Castle Lodge, .\o. where in this book. Five children survived him, 
404, Knights of Pythias. He is a valued mem- as follows: William H., Albert A., Charles, 
ber of society, and occupies a position iiigh in I-Yank, and Earl. 

the esteem of his fellow-citizens as an honorable. ( )ur subject, after finishing a good, practical 

industrious and enterprising young man. who education in Xew Castle's excellent High School, 

is bound to succeed in his work. entered the wholesale store of J. A. Allen as a 

clerk, and secured a useful knowledge of busi- 
ness methods, that have enabled him to make iiis 
present venture in the bottling business so suc- 
cessful. So it was with considerable experience 
WILLI.VM W. STREIB, senior member of and a fair amount of capital tliat lie went into 
the enterprising firm of Streib Brothers of the parnership with Daniel Clark, under the firm 
Xew Castle Carbonated Bottling Works, was name of Clark & Streib, and established the Xew 
born in the above town, and is the eldest son of Castle Carbonated liottling Works: our sub- 
Charles and Lovinia (Treser) Streib. and grand- ject's brother, Alberst A., soon succeeded Mr. 
son of Gasper and Susan Streib, wlio were born Clark in the firm, and the ever-growing business 
in liaden, Germany. Our subject's grandfather has since been conducted by the firm of 
emigrated to Xew York City, and worked at Streib I'.rothers. They have built up a 
his trade of a baker until his death. A large remarkably nice trade in Xew Castle and 
family survived him, composed of the following in the surrounding towns, and are located 
members: Theobold, Charles, Julius, William, at Xo. 302 Grant Avenue, where they run two 



!1S 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



wagons fur tlic delivery of their goods iluring 
the Vnisy siminier season. Since coming before 
the notice of the people of Lawrence County, 
he has proved himself to he a nKist enterprising 
and energetic business man, and worthy of the 
highest appreciation and confidence, because of 
his many sterling qualities. He resides with his 
mother at No. 302 Grant Avenue. 



WILLIAM S. PATTISON, one of the lead- 
ing and most jjrogressive citizens of Union 
townshi]), and a carpenter who is nnich in de- 
mand throughout the surrounding countr\-, was 
born in a house which was situated within a few 
rods of his present elegant residence, Dec. 10, 
1834. He is a son of David and Jane (Stewart) 
Pattison. 

David Pattison was born in Glasgow, Scot- 
land, and there learned the trade of a cotton- 
spinner. Wliile still a resident of bonnv Scot- 
land he became engaged to Ik- married to Jane 
Stewart, who was born in Paisley, Scotland, but 
with a wise determination to be sure of the fu- 
ture, lie innnigrated to America to ])rovide a 
hnme for his intended wife. He bought fiftv 
acres of land, which was then new and unculti- 
vated, and located where his son, William S., 
now resides; he was much taken with the conn- 
try and pleased with the prospect of a successful 
career which seemed to stretch out before him, 
and went to work with a will to clear the land 
for the intended crops and to erect a log-cabin 
for temporary shelter till his own resources and 
the accommodations of the new countrv war- 



ranted him in building a more pretentious struc- 
ture. All the arrangements completed, it only 
needed the arrival of his future bride to com]5lete 
his home, and crown him with happiness; she 
came when he announced that all was in readi- 
ness for her reception, and they were married 
and settled down to become industrious citizens 
of their ado]5ted country. He finished clearing 
the land and worked some in building the canal. 
Later in life, wlien Xew Castle began to grow, 
he engaged in gardening, and followed it the 
greater part of his after life. He and his wife 
won the highest esteem of the citizens of the 
township, for they were exemplars of the l)est 
type of Scotch honesty and Scotch ruggedness 
of character. He lived to be eighty-four years 
old, and his wife attained the age of eighty-six 
years. Their children were: David C. ; Mary, 
who married Robert Poggs; William S., the 
sul)ject of this biography; Jeanette, who married 
Smith Fulkerson; Robert D., whose sketch ap- 
pears elsewhere in this volume; Alexander S. ; 
and two, who died in infancy. 

William S. w^as reared and educated in Union 
township, and at the age of twenty-one learned 
the carpenter's trade. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. 
A, 53th Reg. Pa. \'ol. Inf., and after serving 
three months as corporal re-enlisted in the 
spring of 1864 in the 5th Pa. Art., and served 
then until the close of the war. On his return 
home, he resumed liis carpenter work, and has 
foll(.)wed contracting and building some thirty 
years. In 1870 he built on three acres of the old 
homestead a house, which is the best house, in- 
side and out, on the Youngstown road, or, for 
that matter in the township; it stands as a monu- 
ment of his successful life, and of the excellent 




GEORGE B NYE. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



.S21 



work that lie has done in all parts of L'nion 
township and beyond its borders. 

His first wife, who was a Miss Margaret 
Stevens, died in 1892, aged fifty-eight years, 
leaving two children — David Clarkson, a car- 
penter of Xew Castle, who married Maggie 
Winters; and James K. A., a conductor on the 
street railway. He was a .second lime joined in 
the bonds of matrimony to Mary Hawkins, 
daughter of Martin I.. Hawkins, and this union 
resulted in the l)irth of twin boys: Ralph A. 
Stewart, and Russell J. Hancock, both of whom 
are exactly like in features and in build. Mr. 
I'attison is a Republican in politics. tJie princi- 
ples of which party he earnestly advocates and 
supports. He is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and active and liberal in its su]iport. He 
is a member of the C. .X. R. 



GEORGE B. NYE, postmaster of Ellwood 
City, was one of that city's earliest business 
men, and up to 1894, when he was appointed to 
his present federal position, he conducted a 
prosperous men's furnishing store. He was 
born in Wayne township, Lawrence Co., Pa., 
July I, 1863, and was a son of Nahaniel Xye. 

After Mr. Nye had attended the district 
school, and obtained a fair degree of education, 
at the age of sixteen, he entered the sandstone 
quarry, and worked for three years. Then he 
was employed as a fireman on the P. X: W. R. R., 
and later held a similar position on the P. C. & 
S. T. R. R. In 1884. he began his business 
career by purchasing a store in Hazel Dell, and 
applying himself to the buying and selling of 



merchandise. He succeeded his grandfather, 
John II. Marshall, and at the end of four years 
transferred his interest to J. M. Marshall of 
Portersville, Pa. The next venture was a men's 
furnishing establishment in Ellwood City, and 
the building which he bought for his place of 
business was the block on the corner of Eiglith 
Street and Lawrence Avenue, two stories high, 
20.\90 feet, built in 1890 by James Smiley. From 
1 891 to 1894 he carried on business on an ever- 
enlarging scale, and met with very satisfying 
results. His sterling character and eminent 
business qualifications led to his appointment 
as postmaster in 1893; in order lliat he might 
be entirely free to attend to his duties, Mr. Nye 
sold out his stock of goods, and established the 
postoffice in the same block, using the Eighth 
Street entrance. That Mr. Nye merited the ap- 
pointment and confidence of the patrons of the 
office goes without saying, for he has a well- 
established reputation as a shrewd man of 
affairs, upright in his dealings. During his resi- 
dence in Ellwood City, he has been justice of 
the peace for a year, and has also officiated as a 
member of the school board. In Hazel Dell he 
still has extensive interests, principally of a real 
nature in land and houses. 

Mrs. George B. Nye was Ella J. Smiley be- 
fore her marriage, and she was a daughter of 
\Villiam Sniiley, a prominent agriculturist of 
Wayne township, Lawrence County. Mr. and 
Mrs. Nye are Presbyterians in religious belief, 
and are to be found among the liljeral support- 
ers of the church of that (kMUjuiination in b'U- 
wood City. They have three beautiful children: 
Bill, born Dec. 28, 1892; Myrtle. March 28, 
1894; and George, July 31, 1896. Ellwood's 



322 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



popular postmaster is a member of but one Our subject's father was born in Little Beaver 

secret organization, that being the I. O. O. F., township, and lived there all his life, engaged in 
Alma Lodge, No. 1016. He is a man of decided farming, and in raising and shipping stock to 
views, but temperate and gentlemanly in the Eastern markets. He was a member of the Dis- 
expression of them. He is not obtrusive in his ciples Church, and politically was a Republican, 
opinions, while at the same time he holds to serving as school director and supervisor. He 
them conscientiously, and casts the weight of died at the age of fifty-four. Our subject's 

grandfather was William Young, who was born 
in Hunterdon Co., N. J., and moved to New 
Galilee, Beaver County, about 1800, and later 
bought 225 acres in Little Beaver township, 
Lawrence County, on which some of his descen- 
dants still live. In politics, he w'as a Whig, and 
in religious matters a Covenanter. 

Phillip A. Young's mother, whose maiden 
name was Ann Taylor, was a daughter of 



countv. 



his influence toward whatever he believes to be 
for the good of his conmnmity and county. He 
is intensely interested in local matters pertain- 
ing to Ellwood City's welfare, and is creditably 
filling his position as a good citizen of the com- 
mtniity. 

As a representative and prominent citizen of 
Ellwood City, in whose behalf his energies have 
been directed from its first inception, the pub- 
lishers of this volume take pleasure in adding William and Ann (Wilson) Taylor, and her 
his portrait to our gallery of leading men of the home was one mile northwest of Enon \'alley. 

Her father was a wearer of the shamrock, and 
fled from Ireland at the close of the Rebellion of 
1798. 

Our subject has spent all of his days on the 
farm that has been so long in the possession of 
the family. He attended district school until he 
was eighteen, and then with his father carried 
on the farm until the death of the latter, when 
Phillip A. succeeded to the estate. He owns 135 
acres of valuable upland fields, very fertile, and 
under thorough cultivation. Air. Young does 
not pin his faith to any one branch of farming, 
although he was formerly especially interested 
in sheep-raising. Everything about his place 
seems to indicate not only that the proprietor 



PHILLIP A. YOUNG. Of the excellent 
citizens of Lawrence County who have known 
no other occupation than that of farming during 
their lives, and who have had far more than or- 
dinary success in the prosecution of that voca- 
tion, Mr. Phillip A. Young certainly deserves 
more than passing mention. He has a fine and 
productive farm in Little Beaver township, two 
miles from Enon Vallev, where he carries on 



general agricultural pursuits. He was born Oct. 

19, 1849, ill a log-cabin on the home jilace. near lias a complete knowledge of his vocation, but 

the site of his commodious brick residence. He that he has put that knowledge to practical use. 

was one of thirteen children born to [Miller and On May z-j. 1875, ■^I"'- Young took unto him- 

Ann (Taylor) Young. self a wife in the person of Mary Helen 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



328 



Williams, daughter of Lynch and Martha 
(Charles) Williams. Mr. Williams was born in 
the village of Ricksham, England, near the bor- 
der of Wales, Feb. ii, 1820; his father was a 
native of Wales. Lynch was a brick-mason and 
emigrated in 1833, following farming as an occu- 
pation after his settlement in America. He was 
a member of the Established Church of Eng- 
land, when still a resident of the mother country, 
but after he came here he became a Presby- 
terian. He died Nov. 16, 1888. His parents 
were Bethuel and Elizabeth (Mansell) Williams, 
natives of Wales and England, respectively, and 
members of the Presbyterian Church. Bethuel 
Williams settled first near Beaver Falls, and 
from there removed to Little Beaver Valley. 
His wife, Elizabeth, lived to be eighty-three 
years old. 

Mrs. Pliillip A. Young's mother, Martha 
(Charles) Williams, was born in County Kildare, 
near Castle Carbrey, in Ireland, and she was a 
daughter of Samuel and Ellen (Wiley) Charles, 
both of whom were born in County Meath, Ire- 
land. Ellen (Wiley) Charles was a daughter of 
William Wiley, who married a JNIiss Lewis. 
Samuel Charles w^as a shoemaker by trade. The 
wife of our subject was one of eight children 
born to her parents. 

Phillip A. Young is a firm believer in educa- 
tion as an equipment for life's duties, and he has 
taken great pains to have his children attend 
good schools. The eldest son, Cassius M., died 
in infancy. Clyde E. is attending college at Ada, 
Ohio, where he is fitting himself for a career in 
the legal profession; when he was a student at 
Slippery Rock College he taught school in Lit- 
tle Beaver township. Bessie M. graduated from 



the district schools at the age of fifteen, and is 
now attending the high school, and Ethel, the 
youngest of the family, is attending the district 
school now. The entire family are members of 
the Disciples Church of Enon \'alley. In pol- 
itical circles, Mr. Young is known as a strong 
Republican: he served one term as super\^isor in 
his township. He also performed highly cred- 
itable work as collector, finishing out his 
brother's term, and when he turned the books 
over to his successor, they showed the smallest 
amount still uncollected that there had been 
since the township was organized. Mr. Young 
is a thorough man of business, having a clear 
comprehension of how accounts should balance. 
He is known as a successful farmer, a kind 
neiglibor, and a good citizen. 



ROBERT F. WILSOX. residing on Railroad 
Street, Mahoningtown, is an engineer on the P. 
& \\'. R. R., a position he has occupied since 
Aug. 15. 1891. He was born in Petersburg. 
Ohio, May 15, 1867, and is a son of Craig B. and 
Elizabeth (Pontius) Wilson. Craig Wilson was 
born in Beaver Co., I'a., in the fall of 1819, and 
is now residing on his farm near Peter.sburg, 
Ohio: he was a son of John and Xancy (Hemp- 
hill) Wilson. His wife, who was born in Peters- 
burg, Ohio, was a daughter of John and Eliza- 
beth Pontius, the former a native of Erie, Pa., 
wIkj died at the age of seventy-six. 

Of ten children in the parental family, Robert 
F. is the seventh in seniority; he remained at 
home until he was twenty years of age, attend- 
ing the schools of Petersburg till he was eigh- 



324 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

tfcn. The first work in whicli lu- was engaged WARREN R. CLlFTON, chemist for the 
for himself was on the puhHc lands between Shenango \'alley Steel Co., was born in New 
Youngstown and Sheffield, where he worked Castle, Jan. 22. 1868, and is a son of Warren 
two years. In January, 1888, he began railroad- Clifton and grandson of Joseph H. Clifton.. Our 
iug, in the employ (jf the V. $i W . R. R. as suliject's grandfather was born in Boston, where 
brakeman for one \-car, then as fireman for two he was reared and educated, and where he lived 
years, and on Aug. 15, i8yi, was given charge until after his marriage, working in the woolen 
of an engine with a run between New Castle mills. When he came to New Castle, he built a 
Junction, Akron. ( Jhio, and Allegheny City, Pa. mill, and engaged in the manufacture of woolen 
From his first connection with the railroad he goods; after several years he sold his milling 
has won and retained the ccMifidence and esteem property, and moved the machinery to Weston, 
of his employers by his faithful discharge of the West \'irginia, where he again bought land and 
duties incumbent upon him, and by efificient, in- water-pow-er, and erected a mill, and once more 
telligent service, that has left no room for com- engaged in the same business, following it the 
l>laint. remainder of his life. He also devoted no small 
He was married in Youngstown, ( )hio, (Jet. attention to sheep-raising. He died at the age 
22, 1891, to Mary McWillianis, who was born in of seventy-nine years. His wife, Hannah lirown 
Mt. Jackson, this count)-, a daughter of Thomas of Boston, lived to be seventy-four years old. 
P. and Melissa (Jones) Mc\\'illianis. Thomas They reared seven children in order and name as 
P. McWilliams,who was a son of James and Ann follows: Josejih: Warren; Frank; Richard; 
(McCloskey) McWilliams, was a prominent Ella; Ann (r)arrett); and Abbie (Hershman). 
I.ilacksniith of Mahoningtown. This miion of Warren Clifton, father of Warren R., was born 
oiu' sidiject and wife has been blessed with two in Boston, Mass., but his boyhood days w'cre 
chiMren: lielen and I'red. He and his amiable s[)ent in New Castle. He married, soon after 
and excellent wife are members of the Presby- becoming of age, Susanna Cartright, daughter 
terian Church. Mr. Wilson is a member of Star- of Lemuel Cartright of Edenburg, Pa. He fol- 
light Lodge, No. 224, Knights of Pythias of lowed the same business as his father, and was 
Petersburg, ()hio; Brotherhood of Locomotive associated with him imtil the time of his death. 
Engineers, Division No. 411, of Painesville, In 1876, he moved to I'ittsburg, where he liveil 
( )]iio; and Excelsior Lodge, No. 121, Protected a few years, and then went to New Castle, which 
Home Circle, of Mahoningtown. Our subject he made his home for two years. He then re- 
has made his home in Mahoningtown since his turned to Pittsburg, where he lives now at the 
promotion to the. jiost of engineer, and although age of fifty-three years. His wife was taken to the 
necessarily absent nuich of the time on his runs, home prepared on high when forty-eight years 
he is claimed as a citizen of the conuuunity, and of age. He is a natural mechanic, and since his 
is held in high esteem bv his neighbors anil sojourn in Pittsburg has been engaged in that 
ac(|uaintances. branch of industry. There were born to him the 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



325 



following children: Katie (Browning); Warren 
K.; Minnie (Connolly); and Floyd I. 

Warren R. Clifton was educated in tlie Pitts- 
burg grammar and high schools, and studied 
chemistry at a select school for chemists in Pitts- 
burg. After finishing the preparation for his 
profession, and iiaving acquired skill and address 
at it, he engaged as chemist, in 1886, with the 
Isabella I'nrnace Co. of Sharpsburg, Pa., with 
whom he spent one year. I'rom 1887 till 1890, 
he was with the Oliver Iron & Steel Co. of Pitts- 
burg, Pa., and since then has been in the employ 
of the Shenango X'alley Steel Co. of Xew Castle. 

Our subject sought and won the hand of Ellen 
M. Walter, daughter of [olin W. Walter, in mar- 
riage, and they have one child, Josephine II. In 
his political affiliations, he is known as an ar- 
dent Republican. Socially he is a member of 
Mahoning Lodge. No. 243, F. & A. M. 



I()HX WALLACE is a substantial farmer 
of Little P.eaver township, and lives near Enon 
\'alley in that township. His birth occurred 
Jan. 26. 1821, near the village of Darlington. 
Heaver Co.. Pa. He was reared in his native 
township, and attended the district schools until 
lie was a young man of twenty years. In 
March. 1845, when he was twenty-four, John 
Wallace and Margaret McClusky were bound 
by the mutuals vows and obligations of matri- 
mony, and began housekeeeping on a farm of 
thirty acres. Not long after he sold the farm. 
but the sale fell through because of the failure of 
the intending buver to turn over the necessarv 



funds: at length, however, he disposed of tiie 
land satisfactorily, and lived as a tenant on rent- 
ed farms until 1862. when he became the owner 
of his present home. Mrs. Wallace was a daugh- 
ter of William and .-Knn (Wilson) McClu.sky, 
and she bore her husband five children: William, 
who was a loyal soldier in the Civil \\'ar, and 
married Eliza McKean and has threee children; 
David C, who died in babyhood; Harriet J., de- 
ceased, who married Willian) J. Young; Lucin- 
da A., who accepted Robert Young of Beaver 
County, and became his wife — they have seven 
children; and Mary A., deceased. Mr. Wallace 
belongs to the l."nited Presbyterian Church. He 
is a Republican ])olitically, and has served as a 
school director in both Beaver and Lawrence 
Counties. Mr. Wallace contracted a second 
marriage in ( )ctober, 1888, with Angeline Wil- 
son, daughter of Samuel and Xancy (Sprout) 
Wilson of Xew Castle. He is a practical, pro- 
gressive farmer, making each part of the whole 
123 acres yield some income. In addition to 
general farming, he has a dairy, which diverts no 
small ])ortion of his time and attention. Mr. 
\\'allace is a representative farmer of this coun- 
ty, and has won an enviable reputation for the 
thoroughness of his business methods, his up- 
rightness in all his dealings witli his fellow-men 
and for his unfailing kindness to all with whom 
he comes in contact. At a ripe old age he is 
enjoying the comforts of a beautiful home, which 
has been fairly won by his industry. 

Our subject's father. David \\'allace, was born 
in Ireland, and at tiie age of eight years accom- 
panied the family, when they sought a new home 
in America. His father, Patrick Wallace, died 
in this country, aged fifty-three years, but David 



326 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 

possessed wonderful vitalit}-, and after a long country and sta\eil in his caltin until spring, 
life spent in agricultural pursuits answered the when he went back to bring his family. His 
summons of death when eighty-four years of wife was a Miss Hunter. He lived on the farm 
age. His wife, Jane Scott, was born in Northern until his death at sevent\-tive years of age. His 
Ireland, and when she was an infant of twelve son, David, lived on the homestead and married 
months, her parents, John and Jane Scott, emi- JMary l""isher, who came from Westmoreland 
grated to America. They lived for a time at County at an early day; their daughter, Mar- 
Baltimore, and then removed to Chippewa town- garet lieer, was liorn on a neighboring farm, 
ship, Beaver Co., Pa., where John Scott main- where she grew up and married Irwin Keiuiy, 
taineil his family h\ weaving. He was a mem- becoming the mother of the present Mr. Kenny, 
ber of the Covenanter's Church, as was our sub- Irwin Kenny, father of Wildress A., began life 
ject's father. He stood the flight of time re- near Calcutta, Colnnd^iana County. ( )hio, in 
markably well, being very strong and healthy 1819, and his career came to a close in 1881. He 
up to a few months preceding his death at three mastered the carpenter's trade, but ditl not fol- 
score and ten. low that trade to amount to much, for he always 

lived on a farm. He was a son of David and 

Esther (Hunter) Kenny, the father having 

served as a privateer in the Revolutionary War. 

Irwin's grandfather, James, came from Lancas- 

WILDRESS A. KENNY, a substantial far- ter County, Pa., where the great-grandfather, 

mer and prominent citizen of Little Beaver John Kenny, settled late in life after his emigra- 

township, resides on his farm about two miles tion froiu Ireland; John's father was a partici- 

from Enon A'alley, on which farm he was born pant in the Battle of the Bovne, ranking as an 

Jan. 8, 1853. Mrs. Kenny holds title to this officer in the army. Irwin and ^largaret (Beer) 

same piece of land, the deed being made in 1799, Kenny were the parents of nine children, as fol- 

when John Beer, maternal great-grandfather of lows: Robert, who was born in Allegheny City; 

the present owner, cleared the fields and re- a girl, who ilied unnamed; David, who- died in 

claimed them from their natural state of rugged infancv; Wildress A.; Thomas; Mary; Samuel; 

timber growth. Air. Beer was in truth a pion- Maggie; and Nellie. 

eer, for he was the first white man to pass the Our subject was brought up on the farm that 

winter in Lawrence County. He came with two was his birth-place, attending school until he 

companions, and they felled the trees, put up was seventeen years old. and engaging in farm 

log-cabins, and fiegan to render the land capable work. W'hen his duties in agricultural lines are 

of sustaining civilized man. The two other men not pressing, he works at the carpenter's trade, 

made their way back to their home in West- which he learned from his father, and in winter 

moreland County in the fall, but Mr. Beer re- he has been occasionally employed in the coal 

mained with grit and determination in the new mines. His mother was a devout member of the 




ADAM TRESER 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 329 

Presbyterian Church, and was personally inter- of school-teacher for several terms. He then 

ested in tiie building of the church structure of turned his attention to the butcher's trade, the 

that denomination, that was the oldest in the details of which he mastered, and in which he 

comnnmity or township. Mr. Kenny is thor- was engaged until his emigration to the L'uited 

oughly imbued with the principles of the Demo- States in 1840. UiK)n coming to this country 

cratic faith, and he has served as school director, he settled in Pittsburg, Pa., where he followed 

He has worked and labored to keep the home- nearly the same general line of business for 

stead which has belongetl to his family for al- twelve years more. In 1852. lie moved to \ew 

mo.st a century intact, and he may well be proud Castle, Pa., where he continued in the butcher's 

of his farm and his history. business until 1865. when he. in company with 

Jacob Siegle, under the style of Treser & Siegle, 

commenced to operate a brewery, and did a 

very successful business, which proved very re- 
munerative to our subject and his ])artner. In 

ADAM TRESER, a retired brewer and a 1877, the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. 

prominent and wealthy citizen of New Castle, Treser carried on the brewing business until 

Pa., whose portrait appears on an opposite page, 1890, when he retired from active participation 

was born in Germany, Dec. 21, 1819, and is in the affairs of the business world. His views 

a son of John and Elizabeth (Horn) Treser, on questions of political moment are those advo- 

both natives of the Fatherland. Our subject's cated by the Republican i)arty; he is everywhere 

father was engaged in farming and inn-keeping respected as a man of sterling good qualities, 

all his life, carrying on both pur.suits at the same and of unimpeachable integrity; he served sev- 

tinie. His native thrift and sound judgment, eral years as a city councilman to the entire sat- 

which the citizens of New Castle have seen ex- isfaction of his con.stituents and of the city at 

emplified in his son Adam, raised him to an large. 

eminent jjlace among his townsmen. He mar- ( )n March 2, 1843. our subject linked his life 
ried Elizabeth Horn, and to them were born and fortunes witli tlxjse of Catlurine Kocher. 
seven children as follows: Magdalena; Cather- daughter of Frederick Kocher of Pittsl)urg, Pa., 
ine; Michael; Elizabeth; John; Adam; and Liz- in the holy l)on(ls of matrimony. Seven chil- 
zie. They were Lutherans in their religious be- dren has blessed this union, as follows: Mag- 
lief, dalena, deceased; F.lizabeth and John, twins. 
Our subject accpiired his education in the the former of whom is deceased; William, de- 
schools of Cermany. and having proved himself ceased; Lavinia; Ijnnia: and L'atJiarine. Jolin 
an a])t scholar and of a studious bent of mind. married .Martiia .Morris of New Castle, and has 
he was selected by those who had charge of the the following children: Stanley, .\orman, I'lora, 
educational interests of the town to officiate as Elizabeth, and Albert. Lavinia married Cliarles 
pedagogue, and accordingly filled the position Strieb (now deceased) of New Castle, and she 



330 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

l)ecanie the mother of live children: W'ilhani. witli our subject until they died, the father being 

Albert, CRarlie, Frank, and Earl, luiinia mar- sixt\-five }ears of age at death, an<l the mother 

ried Rev. John Aliller of Beaver Falls, Pa., an<l seventy-seven years old. Our subject's mother's 

the sole issue of the marriage was one child. maiden name was Mary Newton, and she was 

I'aul L., who was left an orphan by the death born in ( )lden, Lancastershire, Eng. 

of his mother a few days after his birth. Paul ( )ur subject worked in the coal mines in his 

L. Miller has lived with his grandparents ever < )ld World home until 1849, wdien he came to 

since he was eleven days old, and has now at- America, and settled in New Castle, Pa., wdiere 

tainetl an age of thirteen years, extremelv bright he worked in the "People's jMines," then for 

for his vears; he attends the public schools of George Crawford about fifteen years, wdien he 

New Castle, and is the pride of his grandiiarcnts. with others began operating a mine in Athens, 

Katharine, the youngest child of our sub- ( )hio ; but this not proving a success he returned 

ject, lives at home with her parents. On March to New Castle and a year later he bought a saw- 

2. iSg3, Mr. and Mrs. Trescr celebrated the mill, which he ran abotit one year, then, in com- 

fiftieth anniversarv of their wedding. Their pany with his brother, he sank a shaft and mined 

friends came from different cities to remember there three years, when they sold to Rhodes & 

them on the jovotis occasion: man\- lieautiful Patterson, and Mr. Riley remained with the firm 

presents were bestowed. The famih' attend the till Mr. Rhodes died, and the mine being run by 

Lutheran Church of New Castle, and are trustees, ]Mr. Riley still engaged with them as 

accounted among its wannest friends and sup- boss. He then bought the lease and worked the 

porters. mine five }ears when he sold to his l.)rother and 

went as boss for the Pennsylvania Company. 

— *^*» Yie then bought the Gecirge Crawford farm of 

146 acres, which had formerly been leased to a 

JOHN RILEY, a retired and highly respect- company for mining coal, and had a shaft al- 

ed citizen of New Castle, was born in Lancaster- ready sunk, and a railroad built, 

shire, Eng., April i, 1827, and was a son of John In 1886, he retired from active work, and 

Riley, Sr., who was born in the same ])lace, and moved to the city of New Castle, and bought the 

was engaged throughout the active period of I'alls prciperty of five acres on Highland Ave- 

his life as a coal-miner. He was the father of nue: very soon after taking possession of the 

twelve children, of whom the following grew to property, he built an addition to the old house, 

maturit)-: Pllizaljeth, the widow of the late An- graded and laid out West Park Avenue, and 

drew Whittaker of New Castle: John; Joseph; sold a large number of Isuilding lots; in doing 

\'i(.ilet : Samuel; and Rosa. After his son John, this work, he had to cut down a high knoll, and 

the subject of this sketch, was well estal)lished in fill in the rough surface and bring everything 

business he sent for his father and mother, and to grade, and make many other valualde and im- 

they accordingly came to New Castle, and lived portant improvements, and the property thus 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 331 

laid out and ini[)rovc(l will in a very few years by trade. About 1810 he removed li> the west- 

Ije built up with beautiful homes. He has also ern ])art of the State to .\ew Castle, where he 

built two fine houses, one on the corner of I'ark built what was long known as the "old forge"; 

Avenue and Highland Street, in which he lives, he was a very good mechanic and found 

Besides the imiirovcments he has been engaged plenty of work in his line in the new 

in to further the progress and growth of New country, for the settlers for many miles 

Castle, he has also loaned money and dealt verv around would come to him when they wished a 

unich in real estate. good job (U)ne. In 1817 he moved to Harlans- 

In 1859, he luarried .Mrs. Ann Jackson, widow burg, where he occupied a position of pronii- 
of Joseph Jackson, who was born in County of nence and influence as one of the pioneer set- 
Durham, England, and came to Lowville, Ohio, lers of that place. He was, like most of the men 
in 1854, where he at first labored as an iron ore of the early times, a hard worker, and being sav- 
workcr. He died at the age of twenty-four ing in his habits and economical in his tastes, he 
years of typhoid fever. Our subject's wife was was able to lay by a comfortable competence, 
born in County Durham, England, and was a which he invested in landed property. The last 
daughter of Henry ISurton, who settled in Low- years of his life were sjjent in retirement, cnjoy- 
ville, Ohio, and died in 1859, aged fifty years of ing the fruits of his early toil, and being accord- 
heart trouble. His wife passed away to the land ed that respect and affection which is always the 
of rest at the age of seventy-five. Mr. and Mrs. due of every man who has fulfilled all the obli- 
Riley have never been blessed with chiUlren. but gations of a godd citizen. He was a stanch Re- 
nearly always their home has been brightened ])ul)lican, but never held any ])u1)lic office. His 
by the presence of some of their nieces or religious affiliations led him to unite with the 
ne])hews. In their religious views, they are Presbyterian Church. He married Sarah Elder, 
Methodist Episcopalians, of which church our a native of Bradford Co., I'a., and to them were 
subject's wife is a devout and faithful member. born four children, as follows: William I!., 

X'ancy, Elizabeth, and Sarah. 

m^.^^m. \\illiam 1'.. U'ilkin received a coiumon school 

education in Harlansburg, and served an a])- 

JOHX W. ^^■I1.KI\, a representative and prenticeship at the cabinet-maker's trade, which 

prominent citizen of Harlansburg, Scott town- he followed until late in life in his native town. 

ship, who is engaged in carrying on a verv sue- When well advanced in years, lie engaged in 

cessful general store in the alxive village, was mercanlik' pursuits, and carried on a general 

born in Scott township. .April 10, 1861. He is a trade in the i)lace where his st>n. John 11., now 

son of Willliani W. and Fannie (McCutchin) W'il- carries (in tJie business, lie, like the father, was 

kin and grandson of John Wilkin. considered a very prosperous man for his time 

John Wilkin was born in Eastern I'emisyl- and surroundings, and as an honest man and 

vania, in Chester County, and was a millwright good citizen occupied a place in the front rank 



332 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



of his townsnu-n, and was an important factor in THOMAS AIARTIN resides in Plain Grove 

the building uj) of the prosperity of his township township, Lawrence Co., Pa., on a farm which 

and county. He was a RepubHcan of firm con- lie purchased many years ago. He has his life 

victions and held a number of the tcjwnship through followed the vocation of cultivating the 

offices. He married a daughter of Henry Mc- soil, and has attained by means of thrifty ways 

Cutchin of Scott township, and to them were and correct manners of life a prominence and 

given three children — Frances, Nannie A., and standing which places him easily in the front 

lohn 11., our subject. They were members in rank of Lawrence County's prosperous and solid 

good standing of the Presljyterian Church. (Jur men. Mr. Martin was born in Washington 

subject's father departed this life in i8iji, when township, this county, Feb. 19, 1832. He at- 

aged seventv-one vears, after many years of sep- tended school and worked on his father's farm 



aration from his dear companion in early life, 
who had preceded him in 1864 to that far land 
from which no traveler ever returns. 

( )ur suliject, after completing his education in 
the connnon schools of Harlansburg, engaged 
in the mercantile Inisiness with his father, and 



until he was twenty. Upon his marriage at the 
age of twenty-three Mr. Martin received from 
his father a lOO-acre plot of land in Washington 
township, which he held for several years, ulti- 
mately selling it and buying a farm of 190 acres 
in extent in Plain (irove township. This is the 



was associated with the latter until his death, property on which he ninv resides. It is located 

when John H. took charge of the business, and in an especially desirable position, and has been 

for the past six years has al)lv conducted it developed to the highest point attainable by 

alone. Success has come to him, and he is ever mcjdern methods. A large and very well-venti- 

engaged in enlarging and bettering liis stock, lated barn belongs to the estate, and a comfort- 

which is to-dav worthv of the best general store able and conmiodious farm-house serves as our 



in the county. He is a Republican, and has con- 
siderable influence and a good standing among 
his fellow-townsmen; he has been rewarded for 
his active interest in behalf of Scott township by 
being given several of the important townshi]) 
offices. 

In 1878, he was joined in wedlock with Tillie 
Dunbart of Harmony, Pa., and bv this union 
became the father of four children — William B., 
Francis H., Mabel E., and John E. Mrs. Wil- 
kin died in 1893, and our subject in 1895 united 
himself with Lillie McKee of New Castle, Pa. 
The family worship at the Baptist Church. .So- 
cially, Mr. Wilkin is a member of the Foresters 
of America. 



subject's residence. The orchards, grain fields, 
and meadow land will compare very favorably 
with the best in Lawrence County, a section of 
the State which is noted for its fine farms. 

Mr. Martin is a son of William Martin, who 
was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1796. 
He had learned the carpenter's trade while still 
a lad, but when he came to this side of the 
stormy Atlantic when yet a young man lie be- 
gan farming. He worked for three years in 
Chester Co., I'a., and then in 181 7 returned to 
Ireland, was married, and returned to the States 
with his wife. Tlie lady, wlnim he married, was 
Agnes Martin, born Martin, in County Armagh, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



333 



May 4, 1793- The young couple settled to en- 
counter the stern duties of life in Washington 
County; they lived three years in Washington 
borough, and then moved into Lawrence Coun- 
ty, locating in Washington township. They both 
reached a good old age, Mr. Martin departing 
this life Dec. 12, 1870, at the age of seventy-four, 
and his wife March 5. 1S74, aged eighty-one 
years. During life thev were very active mem- 
bers of the Seceder denomination, and were 
otherwise well known in the social and religious 
life of the township. As a citizen, Mr. Martin 
was no less energetic than as a farmer. He was 
a strong Deiuocrat, wielding much influence in 
local circles, and served his fellow-citizens in 
several public capacities, among them being that 
of constable. He was an upright man, a good 
farmer, and a wortliy citizen. Through hard 
labor, directed by a good head, he prospered 
exceedingly and died esteemed by all who knew 
him. 

Thomas Martin, the subject of this liistory, on 
June 10, T853, wedded his first wife, Maria Jor- 
dan, whose parents were Michael and Rebecca 
(Ramsey) Jordan, members of a very prominent 
and representative Wasliington township family. 
To this union three children were born, two of 
whom survive. They are Agnes Rebecca and 
Margaret Elvira. Elizabeth Ann was the name 
of the daughter that died. Agnes Rebecca be- 
came the wife of Renwick Xelson, w-ho is the 
proprietor of a large furniture store in Mercer. 
Pa. Nine children came to them, of whom the 
following seven are now alive: ^faria M.; Mar- 
tha; James; Bessie J.; Thomas M. ; Grace A.; 
and Elsie. Margaret Elvira is the wife of Dr. 
Alexander B. Hamilton of Laramie City, Wyo- 



ming. Some time after the decease of his first 
wife, on Sept. 23, 1879, '" Plain Grove township, 
Mr. Martin contracted a matrimonial alliance 
with Mrs. Martha McCune, the widow of James 
D. McCune. She was born in Plain Grove tow'n- 
ship and was a daughter of John and Margaret 
(Patterson) Oflfutt. Of this marriage one son 
was born, James David McCune. 

Mr. and Mrs. Martin were formerly members 
of the Presbyterian Church, and are very well 
known in all circles of social and religious life 
in the township. Mr. Martin's politics are of the 
Democratic school. In that party his advice and 
counsel have much weight and influence. Be- 
sides his farming interests, he is a member of 
the firm of OfFutt, White & Co., leading under- 
takers of New Castle, and has a number of other 
business affairs that take up fully his extra time. 



DAMD ELLIOTT DOUGLAS, an es- 
teemed resident of Mahoning township, who for 
many years past has occupied a prominent posi- 
tion among the well-to-do tillers of the soil of 
Lawrence Co.. Pa., was born in IVanklin town- 
ship, Allegheny Co.. Pa., on the 21st day of 
October, 1848. He is a son of John and Eliza 
(Wilkins) Douglas, and a grandson of William 
and Martha (Crawford) Douglas. 

'I'he grandparents of the subject of our history 
were both l)orn in Scotland. .\'ot many years 
after their union, they immigrated to America, 
where the thrifty habits of their native land, 
which they possessed in abundance, stood them 
in good stead. They reached the age of seventy- 



334 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



five and niiu-ty-five years respectively, and 
founded a family that has ever since wielded 
much influence in this part of the State. 

John Douglas, the father (if David E. Doug- 
las, was a man of learning and of indomitable 
will. He was born in Allegheny County, in 
1822, and died at New Castle, Lawrence County, 
Aug.- 14, 1889. Being naturally of a studious 
bent, his parents humored him with superior 
educational advantages, so that when it became 
time fijr him to go to work to support himself, 
he took naturallv to school-teaching. Instruct- 
ing the \()uth in those days was not the plain 
sailing that it is now. It was quite the proper 
thing lor a school-room full of children to be as 
unridy as an equal nundier of cc.ilts, and the 
teacher who aimed to instruct usually had a 
goodly amount of "breaking in" to do before he 
could commence on the three "R's." Mr. Doug- 
las ])roved to be very proficient in both depart- 
ments of the educational system of that day. 
Such a reputation did he actjuire for good gov- 
ernment as well as good teaching, that he was 
often sfjught after to subdue and instruct some 
school which had run away with some less effi- 
cient luaster. Xo school, no matter how turbu- 
lent and imruly it had been, ever tried more than 
once to get the better of Mr. Douglas. He came 
into Lawrence Count}' in 1870. and at times fol- 
lowed the carpenter's trade. He retired from 
active labors some time l^efore his death, which 
occurred Aug. 14, 1881). In politics. ]\Ir. Doug- 
las was a Repuljlican of no uncertain or waver- 
ing type, while in religious matters he was a 
Presbyterian, as is also his entire family. Eliza 
(\\'ilkins) Douglas, the wife of John Douglas, 
was a native of Sewickley township, Allegheny 



County, and was born in 1822, a daughter of 
David and Anna (Aikens) Wilkins, both Scotcii 
people. There were eight children in the family 
of our subject's parents, as follows: an infant, 
wdio died young; David E., the subject of this 
biography; Mary E., the wife of John W. Broth- 
ers, an engineer on the Pennsylvania R. R.; 
John Harvey, who is employed by the P. & L. 
E. R. R.; James A., a conductor on the Ft. 
Wayne line; Martha; Joseph L., a lirakeman on 
the Erie R. R.; and IMe. 

David E. Douglas learned the carpenter's 
trade when a young man, and followed it until 
1877, the last five years of that period being 
spent in Xew Castle. In 1877, he abruptly took 
up farming, and has since continued in that line. 
In 1881, he purchased the A. Kelso farm in Ma- 
honing township, and a little later on added to 
it a piece of land adjoining, making altogether 
a property of eighty-seven acres extent. In time 
he tore down the old buildings and built up new 
ones, so that now he has as fine and conveniently 
an arranged set of buildings as any farmer in 
Lawrence County. Orchartls have been con- 
stantly set out and tended carefully, and im- 
provements of all kinds have gone on no mat- 
ter what the season was, until the estate has he- 
come the ecjual of any in this part of the Key- 
stone State. 

Mr. Douglas married, as his first wife, Eliza 
Patton, daughter of John Patton. She was born 
Oct. 24, 1845, ^'""^l '^'^'^d March 5, 1890, leaving 
two children — Anna J., born Aug. 23, 1879, ''"'' 
Jesse E., born ( )ct. 14, 1883. A few years after 
the death of his first wife, Mr. Douglas con- 
tracted a second marriage with Mrs. Mary J. 
Matthews, who was a daughter of John Patton, 




ISRAEL N GRIFFITH, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



and a sister of his first wife. Mr. Douglas in 
politics is an active and sturdy Republican; he 
has always been a prime mover in the affairs of 
the party, and on several occasions has been 
elected by his fellow-citizens to responsible offi- 
ces. He was retained for three consecutive 
years in the position of township sui^ervisor, 
and ]3erformed the duties of that office faithfully 
and well, with a due regard to the rights and 
wishes of the taxpayers. He is a member of the 
United Presbyterian Church, among the adher- 
ents of wiiich organization Mr. Douglas num- 
bers manv of his warmest friends. 



ISRAEL N. GRIFFITH, yardmaster of the 
Pennsylvania Company at New Castle, and re- 
siding at Xo. 23 West North Street, was born 
near Centerville (now East Bethlehem) Wash- 
ington Co., Pa., Jan. 31, 1844. He is a son of 
Joel and Eliza A. (Nixon) Griffith. 

Our subject comes of the famous old Griffith 
family of the Monongahela \'alley. This family 
was descended from one of three brothers, who 
came over to this coimtry with William Penn in 
1682, and settled in New Castle County, Dela- 
ware. W'illiam (jriffith, the great-great-grand- 
father of Israel X., was a son of one of these 
hardy pioneers; in early life he took a journey 
up into York Co., Pa., in search of land, and 
after encountering the severest hardships, and 
enduring many privations, he selected the loca- 
tion for his future home. Returning to Dela- 
ware to secure horses, farming utensils, etc., he 
married a Puritan maiden named Esther Davis, 



and made his home near Warrentown, in the 
famous valley of the Susquehanna. Jacob Grif- 
fith, son of William and Esther (Davis) Griffith, 
married Lydia Hussey, and their fourth born 
child, Israel, who saw the light of day in York 
Co., Pa., in 1784 became in course of time the 
grandfather of our subject. The family moved 
to the western part of Pennsylvania in 1791, set- 
tling in Washington County, where Joel Grif- 
fith, the father of Israel X'. Griffith, was born 
Oct. 13, 1809. 

Joel Griffith learned the carpenter's trade, and 
also followed the trade of a miller, his father 
having built a mill on Pike Run, a mile and a 
half from Centerville, a mill that is still standing 
and in operation. Joel Griffith's father, Israel 
Griffith, as noted before, was born in York 
County, Pa., in 1784, the 28th day of December; 
his life came to a close in 1864. The old house in 
\\'ashingfton County, where he lived over a 
century ago, is still standing, and is the 
home of the widow of a grandson, Oliver 
R. Griffith. Joel Griffith died May 27, 
1870. He married Eliza A. Xixon, who was of 
Irish descent, a native of Washington County, 
and a daughter of Adam and Xancy (Brinton) 
Xixon. Adam Xixon was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, a Presbyterian in regard to liis religious 
views, and a Wliig partisan in politics; he 
was born April 5, 1789, and dicil October 
19. 1842. 

Of eight cinldron born to his ])arents, Israel 
N. was the third in order of birtli. He lived in 
his native county until reaching his majorty, at- 
tending district school until he w^as seventeen, 
and. when not in school, working with his father 
in the mill from tjie time he was twelve years of 



338 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

age until 1865. In April of that year, he enlisted WILLIAM CURRY. This respected resi- 

in the Union Army, and served six months in dent of Perry township, Lawrence Coimty, has 

the Shenandoah Valley and West Virginia, an interesting life-history, replete with sugges- 

being stationed much of the time at a sort of tions to the young inan, who would rise above 

headquarters at Winchester, where he had a his fellows, and enjoy the comforts of an inde- 

great deal of hard riding On his return from pendent competency in his old age. Mr. Curry 

the armv, he did not take up the milling busi- has the distinction of being both a railroad man, 

ness, but .rather went into a machine shop, although now retired, and a landed proprietor, 

where he remained three years. He then be- Beginning at the very bottom round with hardly 

came traveling salesman for an agricultural com- a cent to his name, he has risen and made 

pany, and was on the road one year, when the money, and saved it, at whatever employment he 

company failed. On Jan. i, 1871, Mr, Griffith was engaged. 

was appointed brakeman on a passenger run of He is of pure Irish parentage and birth, as he 

the Ft. Wayne, Pittsburg & Crestline R. R., and was born in Ireland in 1832. Growing up as a 

"broke" on passenger and also freight trains lad he attended school, and worked for a farmer 

until September. 1872, when he became until 1848, when he left his native shores to seek 

conductor, serving in that capacity until 1881. his fortune in the Western Republic. Landing 

In the spring of that vear, he became in Massachusetts, he remained in that State for 

yaril-master for the Pennsylvania R. R. at New a period, working for a dairy farmer and doing 

Castle. other kinds of labor for two years; then, seeing 

Mr, Griffith was married July 14, 1870, at Al- a chance to better his condition, he bought a 

liance, Ohio, to Loretta E. Day, a native of team and began grading on the railroad, receiv- 

Deerfield, Ohio, and a daughter of John M. and ing $2,50 per day wages. It was not so very 

Sarah A. (Smith) Day. Three children have long until another opportunity to rise presented 

been liorn to our subject and his wife: Bessie itself, and Mr. Curry signed a contract to lay 

L., the wife of Charles Pleas, foreman and man- ninety-si.x miles of track on the railroad; finding 

ager for The Edwin I'loll & Sons Co. of New this business profitable, he employed himself for 

Castle; Stella 1.; antl Paul E. Mrs. ( iriffith is three years in railroad contract work. Minne- 

a member of the Phesbyterian Church. < >ur sota was the next objective point, and in that 

subject is a stanch and unyielding Republican, State, Mr. Curry took up sixty acres of land, 

and casts his vote uniformly with the caucus built a substantial house thereon, and bought in 

choice. He has taken Masonic ( )rders, holding addition two sections of improved land, adjoin- 

nuinberships in the Blue Lodge, No. 491 : Chap- ing his own. This property remained in his 

ter No. 41 : and the Council of Alliance. < »hio. liantls for one year, when he realized from it in 

Mr. Grififith's portrait we have presented in con- hard cash, making the sum of $1,000 by the 

nection with these notes of his life on a preced- transaction. He then returned to the East, and 

ing page. settled in Pittsburg, Pa., where he again entered 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LA WRENCH COUNTY. 



339 



railroad work as a section foreman on the Penn- 
sylvania Company's tracks, the position yielding 
the income of $30 per month. By tlie time 
eighteen months had passed, Mr. Curry had out- 
grown his station, his merit was given due rec- 
ognition, and he was promoted to be foreman of 
track-laying for the same company, and his 
services were then valued at $75 per month. 
Having amassed wealtli, whatever his occupa- 
tion, Mr. Curry was able to acquire a choice strip 
of territory in Perry township, where he resides. 
With his customary executive ability, improve- 
ments have been made on the house, and grad- 
ually, for such things require time, the whole 
farm has assumed a prosperous air under his 
supervision, and reflects strongly the owner's 
habits of thrift and method. 

Mrs. Curry is also of Irish parentage ; she was 
Martha McKinney, her father's name being 
John. Of the eight children, born to our sub- 
ject and his wife, three — Robert, David and 
Mary — are deceased. Those living are: John, 
who allied himself with Caroline Siegler and has 
a daugliter, Bessie; William H., who wedded 
Lilly Hamilton, and is the father of one son, 
William; Rebecca, who became Mrs. William B. 
Smith, and bore her husband two children — 
William J. and Ruth; Anna, who married 
Charles Hamilton, and has a daughter, Mabel; 
and Harry, who resides at home with his par- 
ents, who are now getting well along in years. 
Mr Curry is a stanch Democrat, and the family 
attend the United Presbyterian Church. 

Mr. Curry's father, W. C. Curry, was a native 
of Ireland, wlio earned his living by the sweat 
of his brow in tilling the soil ; his death occurred 
at the age of sixty. He espoused Jane Doug- 



lass, daughter of James Douglass, and their en- 
tire family of six children reached mature years. 
They were: David; John; Sarah; Elizabeth; 
Xancy; and the William whose personal hi.story 
we have endeavored to outline. 

Mr. Curry is a typical product of the circum- 
stances that make it possible in the United 
States for the advancement of enlightened work- 
ingmen, who will observe the cardinal principles 
of thrift, economy, and self-education. He lias 
risen from being a day-laborer to a position of a 
man of independent wealth, and has been the 
architect of his fortune in the truest sense of the 
word. His wide knowledge of railroad affairs 
renders him an authority, and he can converse 
for hours in an instructive way on his favorite 
subject — the railroad. 



RE\'. JOH.X McCOMB will be renienihored 
among the people of Lawrence Co., Pa., for 
many years to come as a man who in his clerical 
labors and in his work as a citizen was all that a 
man should be. He is now advanced to that stage 
in life's journey where he can look back over the 
many changing years and out of their teachings 
can well instruct tlie rising generation. .Mr. 
McComb has ever been a many-sided man. I le 
has had intimate knowledge of so varied human 
interests that he could never be narrow in his 
ideas on the great subjects of life. He is a na- 
tive of the State founded by William Penn, being 
born in Mahoning township, June 15, 1814. He 
was a son of John and Sarah (Hanna) McComb. 
The father was a native of Wasliington County, 



340 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

and was during his allotted time a worthy and as they are interpreted by this denomination, he 
thrifty farmer. He was one of the pioneer set- has spent all the years of his manhood. Mr. Me- 
tiers of Mahoning- township, Pa., Init had for- Comb bought the farm he now owns and occu- 
merly owned a line tract of land near Parks- pies in 1883. Farming has with him been rather 
town. In his political views, he was originally a diversion and a rest from the active work in 
a Democrat, but when the lines became closely the Master's service. His best strength has al- 
drawu on the slavery question he cast in his lot ways been given to doing his part to make the 
with the then young Republican movement, world better. A passage, which shows the im- 
Jiihn McComb, the father, was married to Sarah pelling force of his very nature is this: "Christ 
Hanna. whose parents were of Scotch nativity, so loved me, that he gave his body in ransom 
she being born during their voyage to America. for me." 

Mr. and Mrs. ]\IcComb were the parents of Our sul)ject united his life with that of Miss 
eleven children: George and Martha, twins; Sarah Wallace, Feb. 2, 1837. She was a daugh- 
Samuel: Jane: Joseph: John; Sarah and Eleanor, ter of Robert Wallace of Plain Grove township, 
twins; Andrew D.; Hugh D.; and one that died and was born April 23, 1816. To them have 
in infancy. The family were in religious belief been given nine children, all but two of whom 
Seceders, but later on became attendants of the are now alive. The record is as follows: Rob- 
U. P. Church. ert W.; William R.; Elizabeth J.; Sarah H.; 
Rev. John AlcComb, our subject, received the Mary A.; Lydia A. and John W. They are 
elements of his education in the common schools located as follows: Robert W. at home; William 
of Mahoning township. In those days the R. married Clara A. Hoy, and became the father 
school-houses were log structures, into which the of four children: Frank, Jessie L., George W., 
light of day was strained through windows of and Mary; Elizabeth J. is the wife of Samuel 
greased paper. Heated by means of immense Hollidav, and is the mother of two children — 
stone fire-places, fitted with wooden chimneys, John and }\Iartha: .Sarah H. married Andrew K. 
made tight with plastered clay, these old-fash- I'ber, and has one son, Daniel W. ; Mary A. is 
ioned temples of learning certainly filled their the wife of William Kerr of Harlansburg, Pa., 
destiny, and turned out to the world men as well and is the mother of seven — Robert W., Will- 
equipped, or better, for the struggle of life as do iani, Samuel G., Catherine, ]\Iary, Charles, and 
our modern palatial school edifices. Our subject Anna R.; Lydia A. married J. M. Dennison and 
took his high school course at an academy near has four children — Sarah, Clark G., jNIartha E., 
Lowellville, Ohio. After its completion, he and May Belle; and John W., who first married 
worked at farming for a while and then was Margaret Johnson and then Clara Blair. John 
licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. AlcComb, Jr., had one child, William P., by his 
This was in 1847. In 1850 he joined the Erie first wife, who died in 1887, and a few years later 
M. E. Conference, and as a teacher and preacher he contracted his second marriage, -from which 
of the precious truths of the Christian religion, union resulted one ciiikl, Arthur L. 



BOOK OF BfOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



341 



As has been stated, Mr. McC(jmb is very alert 
to all which has to do with the betterment of 
mankind. He believes tliat a minister of the 
Gospel should have a living interest in secular 
as well as spiritual things, and he is a warm ad- 
h.erent to the principles of the Republican party. 
Though now an aged man, he is full of the spirit 
and fervor of Christianity. Still a pleasing and 
forcible talker, he has a fund of information and 
pointed anecdote with which to show a moral 
and expound a well-presented truth. Of kindly 
disposition and upright life, he is looked up to 
and loved by all who know him. When sorrow 
comes he is a sympathetic comforter, whose 
hand ever points upward to that fair and happy 
land beyond the skies. It is the influence of 
such men as he that makes life worth living to 
very many, for through him they receive hopes 
for that better and more peaceful state on the 
other side of the river. 



McCLURE IIARTSELL. dealer in lumber 
and owner of a prosperous blacksmithing busi- 
ness, is a resident of Plain (irove township, who, 
though not yet past the meridian of life, has by 
his method's of business built up a heavy and 
profitable mercantile enterprise, and has at the 
same time reached a position of leadership and 
of prominnce in Lawrence County. 

Mr. Ilartsell entered upon this life July 7, 
1853, 1" Clarion Co., Pa. His education was re- 
ceived in Clarion and Lawrence Counties, and 



In 1876, he began learning blacksTuithing in 
I'ayette, Lawrence County, a trade in which lie 
became very proficient in two years time. In 
1878, he came to Plain Grove township, and 
commenced working at his vocation. Success 
following his efforts, and being alive to every op- 
portunity, he embarked in the lumber business. 
l)ut still continued blacksmithing. The year 1886 
found him extensively engaged in the wholesale 
hardwood trade, and also dealing in car stock 
and railroad ties. He has followed his two lead- 
ing lines of business with uniform success since 
that time and at present is a heavy shipper of 
the lunil)cr which goes to the P>uffalo Car 
Works, and to the plant of Wheeler & Holden. 
He also sends large orders to pjervvick. Pa. As a 
side line to the blacksmithing business, he han- 
dles a complete stock of carriages, and keeps 
himself in close touch with the best sources of 
supply. 

Mr. Hartsell's parents were Henry and Cerina 
(Hartsell) Hartsell, the former a native of the 
Keystone State, and the latter also a native of 
the same State, her birth having occurred in 
Clarion Co., Pa. Henry Hartsell was in his day 
a lumber dealer and a raftsman, at one time 
having a business that was second to none in 
this section. The most of his life was spent in 
Clari(3n Co., Pa., where he raised a large family 
that was a credit and honor to him. He was al- 
ways an important factor in the sections where 
he resided. An ardent Republican, he worked 
hard for the welfare of his party, but never 
sought any public position. He was ever a good 
tactician and a man whose counsel could be act- 
ed upon with safety. He married Cerina Hart- 



his first labor was performed upon a farm, where 

he worked until he was twenty-two years of age. sell, a distant relative, and to them were born 






BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



three children — ^IcChire, the subject of our 
sketch; John, who married Lucia JMager of Elk 
City, Pa.; and Richard, also happily married. 
This family were carcfullv brought up in the 
fold of the M. E. Church. Mr. Hartsell, the 
father, died in 1867, but his widow is still li\'ing 
at an honored old age. 

McClure Hartsell, our subject, was raised un- 
der Republican influences, but he is a man who 
has sound reasons of his own for belonging to 
that party. Like his father, he has extremely 
good judgment as to men and affairs, and his 
influence is thoroughly appreciated by those who 
are his associates in locally directing the inter- 
ests of the Republican party. During his active 
l.nisiness life, he has not often been able to serve 
his fellow-citizens in official capacities, but in 
the year 1895 ^'^^ accepted an appointment as 
paster and folder for the House of Representa- 
tives at Harrisburg. 

Mr. Hartsell was united in marriage with Miss 
Matilda Stuart in 1879. She is a daughter of 
John Stuart of Harlansburg, this county. The 
family with which they have surrounded them- 
selves consists of the following four members: 
Orpha R.; Axie S. ; Matilda AI.; and John M. 
Mr. Hartsell and his family are regular attend- 
ants of the United Presbyterian Church. In 
social life, our sidjject is very active. He is a 
member of the Royal Arcanum and other soci- 
eties, some purely fraternal and social, and 
otliers beneficial in their character. His busi- 
ness relations are of the pleasantest. He has 
had to work for all he possesses, and his present 
leading position in the lines of trade in which he 
is intimately interested, comes as a direct result 
of the svstem and care with which he watches 



every detail. The lumber business which he 
handles demands the strictest integrity, for he 
caters to a trade whose wants are of the most 
exacting nature, and must be filled to the letter. 
The hold Mr. Hartsell has upon those large con- 
sumers is the best commentary upon his busi- 
ness abilit)- and extreme fidelity. In the com- 
munity no one is better liked than he or held in 
higher esteem, and every whit of the respect, 
accorded Mr. Hartsell, is his due and thoroughly 
deserved. 



CHARLES PLEAS, manager of the Edwin 
Bell & Sons Co.'s keg factory at New Castle, 
was born Jan. 26, 1869, in Pittsburg, Pa. He 
was reared and educated in that city, and as his 
father died when our subject was quite young 
in years, he was thrown upon his own resources 
at an early age and forced to take care of him- 
self. When he was about eight years of age, he 
went to work for his uncle on a farm about 
eight miles from Pittsburg; after spending four 
years of pretty hard labor for one so young, and 
receiving no compensation except his "keep," 
he left his uncle and hired out on a farm for 
fifty cents a day. At leng'th becoming tired of 
farm life, as ill-suited to one of his natural bent, 
he resolved to return to the city and make a liv- 
ing f(.)r himself. He secured work in a keg fac- 
tory, and remained with the firm with which he 
first engaged to work, until that firm closed out 
its Inisiness in 1888. 

In the same year he secured a position in the 
employ of the Edwin Bell & Sons Co.; and 
worked at their factory in I'ittsburg until 1892, 




MR. AND MRS. MARTIN R. DALY. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 34.5 

spent a year in anotlier of their factories at Bea- freight agent at Peru, Ind. ; this last important 

vcr Palls. Pa., and in 1893 came to New Castle incident of his career occurred in 1874, when 

to manage the firm's keg factor)', and is still effi- he was aged forty-seven years, and in the very 

ciently fulfilling the duties of that position. Mr. prime of life. His wife was born in County 

Pleas shows his aggressive and energetic nature Clare, Ireland, in 1834, and at the age of thirteen 

in the way in which he has surmounted all ob- came to America with her brothers, landing in 

staclcs and risen to his present place of author- Canada, and coming thence to Terrc Haute, 

ity and responsibility from apprenticeship Ind., and finally to Indianapolis of the same 

through the difTerent grades. He is a master of State, where her wedding took place. She bore 

all the details of the business which he has in her husljand a strong, robust family of nine 

charge, and superintends all departments of the children as follows: Michael: liertha; Kate; 

factory. (."harles, deceased; James D.; Martin R.; John 

Our subject married Bessie L. Griffith, daugh- William, deceased; Phillip; and Joseph V. The 

ter of Israel N. Ciriffith, whose sketch is found last-mentioned son is the only member of the 

on another page of this book. familx , besides Martin R., who resides in Law- 
rence County; he is conducting a confectionery 

-.*.^*». store in Mahoningtown, and adds materially to 

the business interests of the place. 

MARTIN R. DALY, whose portrait with Our subject's youth was spent in Peru, Ind., 

that of his wife, is shown on the opposite page, where he attended the public schools, anil the St. 

lives in Mahoningtown, and is employed by the Charles Academy of that place, from which 

P. & W. R. R. at New Castle Junction as gen- institution he graduated. He then accepted a 

eral yard master and foreman of machinery; he position as shi|)ping clerk in a basket factory of 

was born in Peru, Ind., Aug. 9, 1867, and is a Peru, where he acquired an intimate knowledge 

son of Martin and Ellen (Bearney) Daly. of accounts and business methods, that have 

Our subject's father was born in County Tip- proved very serviceable to him. .Vfter continu- 

perary, Ireland, where both his lather and ing in this positit)n for (|uitc a jieriod, he became 

mother died; when he was thirteen years of age, a brakcman on the Wabash R. R.. but soon 

he bade farewell to the land of his birth, and set resigned to accept a position in the shops of the 

sail for the United States, going at once after Pennsylvania R. R., where he worked one year 

his arrival to Detroit, where he lived and sup- as machinist. In 1887, he moved to Mt. Carmel, 

ported himself as best he coukl. From Detroit 111., where he was locomotive fireman for three 

he went to Indianapolis, and after his marriage years. He came to .Mahoningtown April 10, 

took up a residence in Peru. Ind., where the 1890, and took a position as engineer on the 

children of the family were born. During his Pittsburg tSi Western R. R.. and served in that 

life-time, Martin Daly was well known in local cajjacity until April i, 1896, at which time he 

railroad circles, and at the time of his death was was appointed general yard master and foreman 



340 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY 



of machinery at Xew Castle Junction. He is still 
fulfilling the duties of that responsible position 
with a carefulness and method that have ob- 
tained f<jr him the confidence and regard of his 
superiors, and proven him a valuable servant. 

Mr. Dal\- was united in marriage at Alt. Car- 
niel. III, April i8, 1894. to Annie IMaurer. 
daughter of Adam Maurer and his wife -Mar- 
garet. Tw^o children are the fruit of this mar- 
riage: I'aul, who died in infancy; and William. 
Kis political views are pronounced in character, 
and make him a strong Democrat. Socially, he 
is a member of the Knights of Pvthias, Wabash 
Lodge, No. },2-], of J\lt. Carmel, 111. He is also 
a member of B. L. E. Div., No. 411, of Paines- 
ville, Ohio. Since coming to Alahoningtown, 
he has taken a deep and intelligent interest in 
the welfare and growth of the jdace, and is con- 
sidered a model citizen. 



ELISHA AL STE\'ENSON. It is not often 
that the chronicler of local history finds among 
the representative citizens, native both to the 
county and tow'iiship, one whose age quite ap- 
proaches that of the prominent citizen of New^ 
Bedford, Pulaski township, whose name appears 
as the heading of this personal history. The as- 
sertion is often made that a century ago our 
forefathers lived longer than we c>f the present 
time do, yet here we have in the person of Mr. 
Stevenson one <if the oldest men that has ever 
made his home for any length of time in the 
county. He was Iiorn in Pulaski township, Dec. 
Z2, 1806, and is therefore almost ninety-one 
vears; this makes him the oldest citizen in the 



county as well as the longest connected with the 
growth of this section. His parents, James and 
Catherine (Moore) Stevenson, came from Done- 
gal, Irelantl, just previous to the Revolutionary 
War. James Stevenson enlisted in the army, 
and the family underwent the horrors of war in 
a new country, far from home and friends. Soon 
after his enlistment, soon after Philadelphia w-as 
occupied ])\ the British, he was taken prisoner, 
lodged in a stone jail in the above-named cit)', 
and then sent under surveillance to New York, 
where after waiting eight months he was liber- 
ated. After his duty in the ranks was discharged 
he acted as a tax collector for tJie Government. 
In those days, as well as at all other times, the 
Quakers would not join in the fight for Indepen- 
dence, as it was against the rules of their order 
to engage in strife, so in order that thev might 
help bear the burden of the war, they were com- 
pelled to pay heavy taxes to buy supplies for the 
men who went upon the bloody field. Mr. 
Stevenson was appointed as one of these tax col- 
lectors, and served the ( jovernment in this ca- 
pacity until the end of the war. He next en- 
gaged in charcoal burning in Chester Co., Pa.: 
he then moved to Mrginia where he spent some 
time, and then transferred his residence to Pul- 
aski township in 1S06: whence he removed to 
Poland, Ohio, about 1808. where he purchased 
some choice land that was still in its primeval 
state, and as yet unscarred by the hand of man. 
He cleared the timber from the place, utilizing it 
for charcoal, which he disposed of to the Yellow 
Creek I'urnace that was located in the neighbor- 
hood of Poland. He spent the remainder of his 
davs there, and b\' hard, incessant toil ]irovided 
for his familv, and accumulated some property, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



3i7 



besides. His first wife was Hannah, a sister of 
Col. Bull, who served in the Revolutionary 
Army. Nine children resulted from this marri- 
age: Andrew; Thomas; Elijah; Margaret; Lucy; 
Nancy; Sarah; Hannah; and Mary. The mother 
went the way of all flesh, and the father, after 
looking about for some one to aid him and to 
preside over the household, married Catherine 
Moore, who bore him: Robert; James; Will- 
iam; Rebecca; Elisha M.: Silas; Samson; Sam- 
uel; and a baby that died in its infancy. The 
family was brought up to attend the Presbyter- 
ian Church, and to live according to the pre- 
cepts given them by the various pastors wh»5 had 
charge of the flock. Mr. Stevenson was a Whig, 
and in his later years became an .Abolitionist, 
doing whatever his advanced years would allow 
him to do in the spreading of the movement di- 
rected against human slavery. 

Because of the large size of the family, our 
subject's father was unable to provide all with a 
complete education, but Elisha M. received the 
benefit of the subscription school in Poland, 
Ohio, and in Pulaski, Pa. He then took a pre- 
paratory course for civil engineering under old 
Master Johnson, after wliich he dealt in mer- 
chandise in company with his uncle in Wayne 
Co., Ohio. For about a year he was in Pitts- 
burg, interested in mercantile business, and then 
moved to Hookstown, Beaver Co., Pa., and again 
kept a store. At this time he married Nancy 
Daw.son, April 30, 1829, and still carried on his 
store until he bought his i)rcsont farm in 1831, 
which he cultivated himself up to 1890. I'^or 
six consecutive winters, he was also engaged in 
teaching school, which meant a good deal in 
those days, when boys attended the scliools until 



they were full-grown men, and delighted in 
throwing out a teacher whenever it was possible. 
Mrs. Stevenson was a daughter of Thomas Daw- 
son, an astronomer of Beaver Co., Pa. The first 
three children born of our subject's union. 
Homer, Nancy A. and Catherine, sank into the 
grave in their youth. Elisha, whose demise oc- 
curred in 1886, grew to years of manhood and 
discretion, married Ellen lirown of New Bed- 
ford, and had four children — Joseph, Harvey, 
Willard and Amy; of these four children, Joseph 
married Gertrude Martin of Oil City, Pa., and 
has a little son. Robert M. Willard married 
.\d(la McClung. Rebecca E., the next in order 
of birth after Elisha M., married James Neal of 
Pulaski township, and their family consists of 
Alice, Dawson, Leonora, Nellie, and Florence. 
The youngest son, Dawson, married Mary Cook- 
ingham of Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and this union 
has been blessed with four children, Metta, 
Homer D., Melva and Mabel. ( )l these children 
Homer D. married Clementine Brownlee of 
Coitsville, Ohio. Melva married Vennis A. 
(ireen and resides in Huntingdon Co., Pa. Mrs. 
Stevenson died in 1872, aged 72 years. 

Mr. Stevenson converses with ease and shows 
liis wide acquaintance with books and pa])ers 
that pass current in these days; he keeps himself 
abreast of the times, and is ever eager to learn 
all about any new subject. In speaking of relig- 
ious matters, he evinces a liberal turn of mind. 
He is a man who has lived through trouble and 
thrived. He has a broad comprehension of sub- 
jects that would not catch the notice of an ordin- 
ary reader, and from liis standpoint of age and 
experience he can elucidate many of the lessons 
that confront mankind in the great I»ook of Life. 



348 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



DR. DEWEES CUNNINGHAM. The gen- 
tleman, whose name heads this sketch, is con- 
spicuous and well known among the professional 
men of Lawrence County, who have at- 
tained success by adroit endeavor, close appli- 
cation and the constant practice of their profes- 
sion. By carefully diagnosing his cases, and 
treating them with that skill, acquired by long 
years of constant study and varied practice, he 
has established a reputation for competency, 
which has redounded to his financial Avelfare. 
Ever since the war. Dr. Cunningham has been 
a steady resident of Wurtemberg, Perry town- 
ship, and a leader among the practicing physi- 
cians, rjur subject comes naturally by his taste 
for medical science, for his father was a physi- 
cian before him, and practiced, like many an- 
other doctor of the old school in the early times, 
through the country a great deal, traveling about 
on horseback, and at times almost living in the 
saddle. The elder doctor possessed a kindly 
nature, and while he was very successful in his 
profession and attained to a comfortable estate, 
he did not place a barrier between himself and 
the less forunate in worldly goods; but, on the 
contrary, he was enabled by his position in life 
to alleviate nuich real suffering. Dr. Robert 
Cuimingham was a Pennsylvanian, being born 
in Beaver County, although his father, Thomas, 
came first to Steubenville, Ohio, from across the 
sea in Ireland. Our subject's father married 
Miss Allison, daughter of James Allison of Bea- 
ver County, and these children lived to bear his 
name: Louisa, who became Mrs. Edward 
White; Addison, who married Miss Woods; 
Abelard, who married Miss Wallace, but who 
is now deceased; Julietta, deceased; Dewees, of 



whom more is to be said further on; Cecelia, 
who bcame the wife of Dr. Atwood; and Jennie, 
who married L. C. Kirker. 

Dewees Cunningham began his existence 
March 6, 1842, and during the years of his boy- 
hood obtained the rudiments of an education in 
the conmion schools of North Sewickley. This 
was followed with a course in the Jef¥erson 
Medical College of Philadelphia, and he finally 
graduated from the Medical College of Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, in 1871. The Civil War of 1861-65 
breaking out soon after he was ready to begin 
his professional career. Dr. Cunningham found 
a post of duty as assistant physician and surgeon, 
and remained steadfastly in the service of his 
country until the cessation of hostilities, and the 
complete victory of the Union. Returning from 
the scenes of carnage at the front, experienced 
and ready for work, he opened up a general 
practice in Wurtemberg, Perry township, where 
his superior qualifications as a physician afforded 
a broad foundation, on which a large practice 
was built. Dr. Cunningham is now because of 
the weight of his years practically retired, and 
enjoys the prestige he gained by many years of 
almost incessant work. He stands high among 
the members of the medical fraternity, and is 
highly respected as a man of enterprise, who 
has been remarkably successful in his ef- 
forts He has imbued his sons with the 
healing instinct and a love for the pro- 
fession, as the eldest, Dalton D., has 
graduated from the Dental College of Ohio, 
and has opened an office on Lawrence Avenue 
in Ellwood City, where he has splendid facilities 
and a large field for dental work. James Nor- 
man, the third child, and second son, is a student 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



;U9 



at Marion Simms Medical College of St. Louis, its primeval state of wilderness, and he cleared 

Mo., of which the next son, Robert B. is a al)out a tliird of it. He was a weaver by trade, 

graduate. Cora, the eldest daughter, and Ida and worked at that occupation a number of 

and Gertrude Pearl, the fifth and sixth children, years after coming to this country. The family 

respectively, are living at home. One son, John consisted of these members: \\'illiam; John; 

D., is deceased. Mrs. Cunningham's maiden James: Thomas; Mary (Walker): Eleanor 



name was Catherine Smiley, and she was a 
daughter of William Smiley of Wayne tow-nship, 
Lawrence Co., Pa. The family are Presbyter- 
ians in religious belief. Dr. Cunningham early 
espoused the Republican cause in politics. Al- 



(Ward): and Isabella. They were reared to rev- 
erence and adhere to the doctrines of the Pres- 
byterian Church. 

William Anderson, the eldest son, attended 
the district school, and on the parental farm en- 



though his active career is now practically closed, gaged in farming, an occupation he never relin- 



his is the satisfaction of looking back over years 
of usefulness and tlirilling incidents, such as 
occur only when human life hangs in the bal- 
ance, and his is the privilege of being regarded 
as a personal benefactor by numberless friends, 
whom his skill has helped in some way or other. 



ALEXANDER ANDERSON. The elderly 
gentleman just named is one of Pulaski's prom- 
inent citizens, and leading farmers; he is in af- 
fluent circumstances, a result he secured by hard 
work and excellent foresight. He was born 
Sept. 21, 1822. and was a son of William and 
Jane (Dimbar) Anderson, who were both born 
in County Down, Ireland, coming to this coun- 
try with their respective parents in youth. 

John .Anderson, the grandfather of our hon- 
ored subject, "crossed the pond" about 1789, and 



(|uished. .\s a voter he was loyal to the Whigs 
until llie slaver\- ciucstion ha<l precipitated the 
Abolitionist party, when he joined the ranks of 
the latter organization, and thereafter did what 
he could to bring to a head the agitation on the 
subject. However, he was not permitted to see 
Columbia free from the taint of slavery, for he 
died at the age of sixty-six, some nine years be- 
fore I'"t. Sumter was fired upon. I le married and 
became the fatiier of ten children, six of whom 
lived to rear families. Elizabeth married 1". J. 
Morrison of Pulaski township, and their chil- 
dren were: Hannah, William ¥.. .Albert, and 
David E. Isabella became the wife of James 
.McGaughey of Pulaski township, and bore her 
husband five children: Rebecca, Maria J., Har- 
riet A., William D.. and Frank. Mary A. wed- 
ded John Sample of Lawrence Co., Pa., and now 
lives in .-Medo, 111., and their family comprised: 
Alvin. William, and lane. F.Tien married James 
Slierriff, and both are now deceased. Alexan- 



after living a number of years in Westmoreland 

County, came to Pulaski township, Lawrence der, the subject of this sketch, was the fifth child. 

County, in 1799, and purchased the farm, a part Nancy was the sixth child, and she became tlie 

of which is now the property of his grandson, life companion and wife of Isaac Book of Ma- 

'I'lie land, a tract of three hundred acres, was in honing lownshii), hearing him two children. 



350 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



Hannah ami Alver. deceased. Newell, deceased, 
was the seventh of the family, and the remain- 
ing fonr died in infancy. The truths of the Gos- 
pel, as presented hy the Presbyterian Church, 
were inculcated into their education, and became 
[larts of their daily life. In 1865, ]\Irs. Anderson, 
our subject's mother, passed away, having com- 
pleted four score years. 

Alexander Anderson went to schciol, and hav- 



ing or relating in the remotest fashion to his 
business. He has a good standing in the com- 
munity as a man who has never failed to pay his 
honest debts, and his private and public life 
elicits the full admiration of those with whom he 
comes in contact. His advanced years do not 
prevent him from mingling with younger men 
in the active fields of business, nor from taking 
an intellio-ent interest in matters of moment to 



among her number of representative and leading 
men. 



ing received a good common scho(.)l training, in the township, county, state or the country at 
which he had labored as well as he knew how, large. He is certainly such a citizen of whom 
taught schcjol himself for a matter of four terms, any country would be proud, and Lawrence 
He then a])])lied himself to agricultural pursuits, County is fortunate in being able to include him 
and he has always lived on the parental estate, 
wdiere he has succeeded fairly well in his mcKle 
of life. Politically, he is a Repulilican, and being- 
high in the regard anil confidence of his fellow- 
townsmen has held not a few of the township 
offices. Pie has been twice married, the first 
union in 1852 being with Lavina McPride, 
daughter of James M. ^TcP>ride of I^daski town- 
ship; she bore him four children: Laura, de- 
ceased; Addie; Charles, who married Lillie B. 
Leslie of New Castle, and has in his family — 
Robert A., Helen, Ravmond, and Christine; 



1!EN|A!\HN NEAL, a substantial and well- 
to-do farmer of Pulaski township, Lawrence Co., 
Pa., was born June 20, 1843 '" t''"-' al'ove town- 
shi]). He is a son of Alexander and Nancy 
(Alayers) Neal. 

Alexander Neal was born in Cumberland Co., 
Pa., and was one of the early settlers in Pulaski 
j\L'lva, the youngest child, married Alexander township, where he took up his residence in 
A. Anderson of Mercer Co., Pa., and they have 1806. He bought 400 acres of wild land, and 
two sons, Clarence and Newell. The second worked at clearing and improving it, by his in- 
matrimonial aliance was with Nancv (leddes of dustry providing himself with a comfortable liv- 
Pulaski township, and by this union there is one ing, and giving his family many advantages, usu- 
child living, Margaret Elizabeth, and two that ally denied to pioneer settlers. He served in the 
died in infancy. In church preferences the fam- War of 1812 as a private and a fifer in the fife 
ily still adheres to the I'nited Presbyterian and drum corps. Politically, he affiliated witii the 
Church. Mr. .Anderson has profited by the years Whigs, and later joined the Republican ranks, 
he has devoted to the pursuits of agriculture. His helpmeet was Nancy Mayers, a daughter of 
and he has developed into a man of broad ideas, Benjamin !\Iayers of Hubbard, Ohio, and their 
who is thoroughly informed on all points touch- children were: James, Benjamin, Alexander, 









>^ 



j^-^Tis ' 



K'^^^ 




^^^f. 



'^^■ 




DR. CHARLES T. WHIPPO. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



353 



and Sarali A. These all married, and became 
the parents of families. James took Rebecca 
Stevenson of New Bedford, Pa., to share his lot, 
and they have five children living — Alice, Daw- 
son F., Leonora, Xcllic, and Florence. Ben- 
jamin, the second son of Ale.xander Xeal, is the 
subject of rtiis personal history, and of him we 
shall s[)cak later. Alexander, the next in 
order of birth, espoused Sarah Heasley of Pulas- 
ki, and they have a boy, Clarence, and a girl. 
Pearl M. Sarah A., the only daughter, became 
the life companion of James Stevenson of Bea- 
ver Co., Pa., and they have one daughter, Hattie 
D., as the fruit of their marriage. Mrs. Sarah 
(Xeal) Stevenson is a lady of sterling qualities, 
highly endowed with good common sense, and 
is highly thought of in her neighborhood. She 
possesses the ihappy faculty of making the home 
bright and attractive to an unusual degree. The 
Xeals were members of the United Presbyterian 
Church. Alexander Xeal's life terminated on 
Aug. I, 1874, having passed the three-quarter 
century mark; he was survived by his wife, who 
lived until Aug. 29, 1880, when she, too, passed 
to her last home at the age of eighty-four. 

]>enjamin Xeal had a conuuon school educa- 
tion, and tlicn liegan to make a livelihood by ag- 
ricultural pursuits, and has never deviated from 
that course. Politically, he is a steadfast Re- 
pul)lican, and although no office-seeker, he has 
been assessor, and is now supervisor. In 1876, 
he was bound by the ties of wedlock to Emma 
liarrett. wliose father was Matthew Barrett, and 
she gave birth to two sons, Charles G. and James 
A. Mrs. Xeal answered the summons of death 



Some time afterwards, Mr. .Veil married ( )llie 
M. Campfield of Clarksville, Mercer Co., Pa. 
Mr. Xeal's influence has always been cast in fa- 
vor of the best moral interests of the communitv, 
and he has never been known to shirk a pledge 
given, or a responsibility undertaken. He has 
proved an excellent servant of the township as 
assessor and as supervisor, and will be continued 
in office many more years, no doubt, so that his 
fellow-citizens may have tlie benefit of his good 
judgment and executive abihtv. 



JAMES WHIPPO, who is extensively en- 
gaged in gardening and in fruit-raising in the 
northern section of Shenango township, a mile 
froiu tJie city limits of Xew Castle on the County 
Line Road, was born in Xew Castle, Sept. 28, 
1840. He is a son of Dr. Charles Tillotson 
\\'hi])po, whose wife was Althea A. Warner, a 
daughter of James Warner. Our subject's 
grandfather, James Whippo, who was born CJct. 
14. 1760, and died Jan. 24, 1832, was Scotch by 
descent. He lived for a lime in Washington Co., 
X'. Y., whence he moved in 1802 to Cayuga Co., 
X'. ^'., where he bougiit a farm and successfully 
carried on agricultural operations; he was also a 
sailor for eleven years or more. He married 
Hannah Wood, daughter of John and Dinah 
(Hussey) Wood of Dartmouth. Mass.. and the 
eldest of six children. She was liorn Mav 5. 
177 1, and died Aug. 30. 1838; she was a woman 
of much ability, and was for a considerable 



when a young woman, being only thirty-two period clerk of the Friends" ^'early meetings of 
years of age at the date of her demise in 1886. Xew York City. One of her brothers, Jetiiro, 



354 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

was the invfiitijr of the first cast-iron plow. The Pa., in 1831, and took charge as engineer of the 
children Ijorn to fames and Hannali (\\'ood) Beaver & Erie Extension of the Pennsylvania 
Whippo were as follows: Amelia, born Feb. Canal. In 1832 he moved his family to New 
17, 1788, and died Jmie 18, 17O-; John, burn in Castle, I'a., where he jnirchased 500 acres of 
Washington Co.. N. Y., May 22. 1790, and died land, J50 of which are now within the city lim- 
in Dublin, Ind., Tulv 31, 1862, leaving three cliil- its of Xew Castle. Lawrence County was formed 
(Iren bv his secontl wife, Sarah M. Lawrence; from the adjoining C(.)unties of ]'>eaver and Mer- 
Charles Henry, born May 22, 1830, James Law- cer, March 20, 1849, ^"'^ '" the following Octo- 
rence, Aug. 5, 1834, and Maria Louisa, Sept. c), ber. Dr. \\'hip|)o was elected associate judge, 
1844; Charles Tillotson, our subject's father; and and served the full term of live years. The Bank 
Anna, burn Jul)' 20, 1795, and died March of New Castle, that city's first bank of issue, was 
7, 1816. incorporated IMarch 30, 1855. with Dr. Whippo 
Dr. Charles Tillotson \\'hip])o was an eminent at its head as the president. He was mainlv in- 
civil engineer as well as a physician of his day, strumental in organizing the first Seminary in 
and was in charge of large portions of the con- New Castle, and elected president of the board 
struction-work of the canals. He was l)orn A])ril of directors. He possesesd a fine library, and 
19, 1793, in Washington Co., N. Y., and died was an untiring student. He became interested 
June 14, 1858, in Xew Castle, Pa., in his si.xty- in the study of the subject of electricity, pur- 
sixth vear. In consideration of his schooling, chased an electrical apparatus, and had a prac- 
he relin(|uished all the interest he might have in tical knowledge of the science as far as it was 
his father's estate, and went abciut identifving understood in his day. His fortune being am- 
himself with one of the leading prc.ifessions. He pie, he devoted the latter part of his life entirely 
studieil medicine with his uncle. Dr. John t(j literary pursuits. He was liberal when it 
Thompson, the husband of Anne Wood, the sis- came to religious matters, and was a Republican 
ter of Hannah (Wood) Whippo, and l)egan the in his ])olitics. He was united in marriage Jan. 
])ractice of medicine in Cayuga Co., X. Y., from 18, 1818, to Althea Ann Warner, who was born 
which locality he moved to Henrietta, Monroe Jtdy 18, 1798, and who departed this life Aug. 
Co., N. Y. He was very fond of mathematics, -21. 1865. Their oldc-t child. Amelia Ann., who 
especially of the higher l)ranches, and was well was born Oct. 28, 1818, in Henrietta, X. Y., and 
versed in the sciences of astronomy, geologv and who died Dec. 11, 1845, '" Connersville, Ind, of 
botany. The profession of civil engineering prov- angina pectoris, was married Sept. 12, 1837, to 
ing to have greater attractions for him than I lenry Clay Moore, and bore him these children; 
that of medicine, he relinquished his practice in Robert, born June 19, 1838 in New Castle, mar- 
the medical line, and entered the engineer ser- ried Alice I'illey Oct. 3, 1878; Charles Whipix), 
vice of the Erie Canal with David Thomas. He born Sept. 11, 1840 in Connersville, Ind., died 
owned a farm at Holly, X. Y., where he left his June 8, 1877, in Dana, Ind., leaving his wife, 
family for a \ear, wlien he came into Beaver Co., Marion A. (Eddv) Moore, and daughter Emma; 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



355 



Mary Stibbs, who was born April 6. 1843; 
Franklin, who was born July 6, 1845, '" ^^^^' 
Castle, Pa., and died June 28, 1846, in Conncrs- 
ville, Ind. Ellen D. who was born Oct. i, 1822, 
and (lied ( )ct. 7. 1881, married, Jan. 14. 1847, 
Dryden Reno, and they Ijccame the parents of 
two children: Althea Ellen, who was born Xov. 
12, 1847, 3"*' ^^'lio married on May 3, 1878, 
Frank I). Storm; Louis Cassius, who was born 
June 28, 185 1, and married Lizzie Hays. Maria, 
the third daughter, born Jan. 20, 1834, and died 



beth Jane Armstrong, who was born in the town 
of Monaghan, County Monaghan. Ireland, Jan. 
10. 1841. She came to America in 1844 with 
her brother, and lived with him in Pittsburg un- 
til her marriage in 1859. Her fatiier, Thoma.5 
Armstrong, was born in 1812 in County Mona- 
ghan, and died in 1842; he was a large land 
holder and very well-to-do. Her nuither's maid- 
en name was Campbell, her parents being also 
large land-holders in the same locality, having 
originally come from Scotland. Mrs. Whippo's 



May 15, 1874. married on Dec. 15. 1853, Henry mother was born in 1816 and died in 1841. 



Reis, and gave birth to these children : Robert 
C, born Oct. 13. 1854. died Dec. 2. 1857: 
Charles, burn ( )ct. 19. 1856, married Sarah Da- 
vis; Ellen, born May 5, i860, married W'. S. 
Jackman; James Whippo, born Dec. 2"/, 1863, 
married Mary .Miller; Lillian, born Oct. 20, 
1866; Louis, Sept. 30, 1869; and Althea Mary, 
who was born March 28, 1874. The fourth child 
in the family of Dr. W'hippo, Charles, was born 
Jan. 21, 1837. and died Feb. 18, 1857. Joseph, 
born May I, 1838, died Aug. 29, 1838. 

Of the six children born to his parents, our 
subject, James Whippo, was the youngest, and 
is now the sole survivor. His boyhood years 
were spent in his native city, attending school 
and the seminary; in 1853 and 1854 he was en- 
rolled among the pupils of Prof. Sulio's school 
in Salem, Ohio. He then followed up his sem- 
inary education with a college course at Green- 
mount, Pa., and at Richmond, Ind.; in 1856 he 
went to DufT"s Business College in Pittsburg for 
the winter. Having been left in comfortable cir- 
cumstances by his father, James Whippo gave 
no attention to business of any sort for a num- 
ber of years. ( )ii June 5. 1859, he married Eliza- 



After his marriage Mr. \\hip])o took up his 
residence on the old homestead, which he made 
his home until the spring of 1867, when he 
moved to his present location, a well-improved 
tract of thirty-five acres, which is mostly devoted 
to fruit-raising, having on it about eight hun- 
dred peach trees, and other large and small fruits 
in pro])ortion. ()n this farm since 1867 he has 
been interested in gardening and fruit-raising, 
supplying both the local market, and also ship- 
l)ing to surrounding points. His home life has 
been blessed by the advent of five children, who 
are as follows: Minnie E., born March 9, i860; 
Maude, who was born Aug. 28, 1861, and mar- 
ried Joseph B. Hutton; Charles T.. born Feb. 10, 
1868, died Dec. 21. 1868; Daisy X., born Oct. 
31. 1872; and Blanche, born Dec. 29. 1873. Mr. 
Whippo is a Republican of pronounced views. 
He was formerly a member of the Knights of 
Pythias organization, but allowed his member- 
ship to lapse. He is a member of die (i. A. R. 
by virtue of his services in Co. T. 87t'h Reg. O. 
\'. I.; he enlisted in Jiine, 1862, was taken pris- 
oner by Longsrreet"s brigade. Harper's Ferry, 
\"a.. near Antictam, and was fuiallv mustered out 



356 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 

of the service at Baltimore, receiving an honor- in teaching, and whose executive abihty is of 

able discharge (Jctober. 1862. the best. Lawrence County has been ])articular- 

As a gentleman worthy of the fullest recogni- ly fortunate in many of the school superinten- 

tion in the earlv history of the countn,-, whose dents, but in no one have so many excellencies 

eminent services in various fields of labor for united as in Thomas M. Stewart, the present in- 

tlie advancement of the interests of this section cumbcnt. and the sul)ject of this writing. His 

will not be soon forgotten, we deem it a pleasure school experience covers a quarter of a century, 

to present the portrait of Dr. Charles T. Whip- and for all the time that he has been in the active 

])o, father of James, our subject. ranks he has never taught outside of the coun- 
ty, and for this reason is all the more fitted to 
attend to his present duties. He was elected to 
his present position in 1896 by the board of di- 
rectors elected for that purpose, and b\- his ex- 

THOMAS M. STEWART. It is an interest- cellent work has won the esteem of all those in- 

ing matter to note the progress and develop- terested in educational matters, 

ment of our present splendid system of public Mr. Stewart is a son of James and Martha 

instruction, and to compare the numberless facil- (Tavlor) Stewart, and grandson of Robert and 

ities of the school of to-day with its embryonic Margaret (Davidson) Stewart Robert Stewart 

prototype, the school of pioneer times, rugged was born in Ireland, and was a man of iron con- 

and simple in its various appointments, when a stitution, his life spanning ninetv-two years at 

thorough knowledge of the three R's — 'rithme- iiis death Aug. 18, 1854. His mother was a Miss 

tic. reading and 'riting — instilled with liberal Hamilton. He had the benefit of a fine educa- 

applications of the Ijirch, was considered sufTi- tion, was a man of able intellect, and taught 

cient for all the ordinary vocations of life. This school in Pennsylvania as late as 1836. His wife 

interesting evolution is never at a standstill, but was born in Lr)ndonderrv, Ireland, and was a 

keeps pace with advances in science and the daughter of James and Mary (Clendenning) 

arts. The school of to-day, seemingly simple in Davidson. She also lived to an advanced age, 

many of its appointments, is yet of a very com- being eighty-seven years old, when she went to 

plex character, and still presents serious prob- her rest Sept. 24, 1857. Her mother, Mary 

lems to the student in pedagogy. To be fitted (Clendenning) Davidson, was left a widow, and 

frjr the requirements of the position the present- brought the family of seven children to America, 

dayschool teacherundergoes a farmore thorough where she died in 1790. 

prejiaration than was ever thought necessary in James Stewart, the father of Supt. Stewart, 

the l)est schools fiftv years ago. The position began his existence at McKeesport, Allegheny 

of county superintendent of schools presents dif- Co., Pa., Aug. 18, 1797. In 1815 he came with 

ficulties and problems, that can only be success- his parents to Lawrence County, settling on the 

fully solved by one who has had wide experience farm where our subject lives, and where James 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



357 



died Aug. i8, 1870, aged exactly seventy-three 
years to a day. He was always a farmer. In 
politics, he was a Whig in the early days, aiul 
latterly followed the Republican standard, lie 
was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian 
C'hinTli. He was thrice married. Isal)ella (Silli- 
man) Stewart bore him four children. Martha 
(Taylor) Stewart was the mother of seven chil- 
dren, and Margaret (Fullerton) Stewart attained 
the age of eighty-three and died childless. Martha 
T. Stewart, the mother of Thomas M., was born 
in Beaver County in iSii, and was a daughter 
of William and Annie (Wilson) Taylor. William 
Taylor, who was a son of John and Mary { Mann) 
Taylor, was born at Gilgin Park, near Hallyman, 
County Antrim, Ireland, Dec. 21, 1776, and died 
Oct. 25, 1856. His wife. Annie Wilson, a daugh- 
ter of Joseph and Mary (Speedy) Wilson, was 
born Jan. 23. 1780. and she (k'ljarted this life 
Dec. ly. 1863. ( )f the family born to James and 
Martha (Taylor) Stewart — William died at the 
age of seven and Margaret at the age of four; 
Alvin H. lives near the home place; John Q. and 
Thomas M. were twins; Annie makes her home 
with Thomas M.; and Martha died in infancy. 
John Q. Stewart, our subject's twin-brother, 
lives at Harrisburg, Pa., where he is attending 
to his work as deputy State school superinten- 
dent of public instruction. 

Thomas M. Stewart was born (jn the farm in 
Little r.eaver township, where he makes his 
home, Sept. 23, 1844, and was reared to a noble 
manhood there. He attended the district schools 
until lie was seventeen, and later became a pupil 
in the Hayesville Linnean Academy in Ohio, 
whence he went to Mt. I'nion College in Ohio, 
where he completed his school education. His 



life-work has been teaching, and he has a very 
remarkable record. He began when twenty-two 
years of age. and taught eleven years in Enon 
X'alley, and four in Wampum, and the remaining 
seven in Little Beaver and Little Beaver town- 
ships, all within driving distance of his home. 
To his labors as county superintendent Mr. 
Stewart brings a high order of intelligence, 
which, with his excellent judgment and unswerv- 
ing integrity, have made him a man of more 
than ordinary influence in the community. On 
Sept. 3. 1884. Mr. Stewart was allied in wedlock 
with Enuna Miller, daughter of John J. and 
Sarah (Myers) Miller, and they are the parents 
of four charming children. John Q.. Mary E., 
Martha, and (Jrace Corinne. Mr. Stewart is 
faithful to the Republican jiarty. although he 
does not carry politics into his school work, nor 
let his duties be interfered with in the least. He 
is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian 
Church. 



S.\Ml"EL D. SLEMMOXS. who now resides 
in luion \'alley. Lawrence Co., Pa., was born 
near no])edale. Harrison Co.. Ohio, April 7, 
1856. Of eight children in his father's family, 
four sons are living, and four daughters have 
]Kissed awa\-. Mr. Slenunons lived in Harrison 
County until 1863 or '64. when the family re- 
moved to Hardin County near .Ada. where he 
went to school uiuil he was eigliteen. living at 
home imtil after his father's death. He then 
secured a place as a clerk in a clothing store of 
Lima. Ohio, and remained in tiiat position for 
one \-ear, after wliicli he traveled for a grain mer- 



358 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

chant, and lived for a short time at Farmer City, who emi.iL^rated to America, where lie (hed in 

III. Returning- to Hardin Co., Ohio, he was aji- 1879, when he was fifty-seven \ears old. Mr. 

pointed depnty auditor of the county, and after and Mrs. James Slemons, parents of our subject's 

serving eighteen months he resigned to go to wife, are members of the Presbyterian Church, 

Columbus, Ohio, where he was employed in the and of their two children, Mrs. Slemmons alone 

State House for three months. He next secured is living. 

a place in a clothing store, and was thus em- ( )tir sul)ject, during his stay in Ohio, served 
ployed at the time of his marriage in 1889. This as constable, and in En<in X'allev, Lawrence 
event, to which reference has just been made, oc- Count\', he officiated as supervisor for one year, 
curred on July 10 of that year, and was the In May, 1896, he was elected justice of the peace, 
means of uniting in marital bonds himself and In politics he is a Republican, and is acting as 
Susan B. Slemons. Then having real estate in- secretary of the Republican County Committee, 
terests in Iinon \alley, Lawrence Co., Pa., he of which committee he has been a menilier al- 
removed to that place, which has since been his most continually since becoming a citizen of Lit- 
permanent location. After his removal to Enon tie Beaver township. In August, 1897, he was 
■Valley, Mr. Slemmons was engaged in mercantile ap])ointed a memljer of the executive committee, 
business for a year, but lost his stock by fire, as which appointment continues for one year. At 
he had previously in his first commercial venture the present time (i8<)7) he is a candidate for sur- 
in Lima. He has large investments in landed veyor of the port in I'ittsburg. He is a member 
property, owning a house in Enon \'alley, and a of the Knights of Pythias order, and is record- 
farm of 127 acres near the village, forty-one ing secretary of the Junior C). \]. A. M. Since 
acres in Allegheny Co., and eighty acres in the his arrival in Little Beaver township, Mr. Slem- 
State of Kansas. ( )n Aug. 19, 1897, our subject mons has thoroughlv identified himself with all 
and wife were blessed with the birth of a baby its interests, and is considered one of its most 
boy, who has been named J. Guy. valuable citizens; he has done all in his power 
Susan I!. (.Slemons) Slemmons, (jur subject's in building up the comnnmitv and giving it a 
wife, was born in ( )ld Enon. and was a daughter moral tone, and is considered one of its main- 
of James and Elizabeth (Kildoo) Slemons. It is stays. He was elected director and treasurer of 
a rather odd coincidence that husband's and the Alt. Jackson Mutual Insurance Co., which 
wife's names should diflfer only in the addition or was organized Oct. 2, 1897. He has been faith- 
omission of an M, Init they are not able to trace ful to the relations of life, and bears an excellent 
any blood relationship, anil if there is any, it rejnitation for uprightness and fair dealing, 
must be many generations back in Scotland. On Our subject is a son of Samuel and Eleanor 
Mrs. Slennnons' mother's side the father's name P. (Leatham) Slemmons, the latter a daughter of 
is unknown, but the grandmother's name was Elias and Susan (Maxwell) Leatham. Elias 
once Miss Stickel. James Slemons was born in Leatham was a son of Robert Leatham, who 
Ireland, and was a son of James Slemons, Sr., was born in the State of Delaware, and lived to 




LEVI REPMAN. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 301 

be seventy-three years old. Elias was a Whig the journey took three months, wliich was the 
and later a Repidjlican, and died at eiglity-six; usual time made. With characteristic German 
his wife. Susan Maxwell, was a daughter of thrift and energy, the lad worked his way and 
Robert and Deborah (Weierman) Maxwell, drifted to Lancaster Co., Pa., where he was em- 
Deborah was of Cierman origin, a daugh- ])loyed by Daniel Hoal for three years, which 
ter of Robert and Susan Weierman. Robert was the term of years that it was agreed he 
Maxwell, great-grandfather of Mr. Sleninions, should work for jiis i)assage over to this conn- 
was of Scotch descent, and was a son of James try, and then s])ent a few years in a distillery. 
Maxwell. Sanniel Slemmons, father of the ])res- His next employment was driving a six-horse 
ent bearer of that honored name, was a son of team and canastoga from Philadelphia to Pitts- 
James and Kate (Johnson) Slenunons; James burg for the purjjose of trans])orting merchan- 
was a Pennsylvania farmer, and died in 1841, dise. This job lasted five years, and then Joseph 
when fifty-eight years of age; his wife passed Rejjman niarried and settled in Canaan town- 
away in 1851, aged sixt\-two. Sanniel Slem- ship, Wa\ne Co.. ()liio: this farm was partially 
mons was born June 9, 1814, in Jefferson Co., improved, and he continued to add to the ini- 
Oliio, and was a farmer and carpenter in his call- provements already made, until he obtained a 
ings. Politically, he was a Republican, and good chance to dispose of the property to good 
served as school director, and as constable for advantage. Later on he removed to Spencer, 
sixteen years, and when sixty years old was Medina Co., Ohio, where he died at seventy-five 
elected justice of the jjcace. He was for the years of age. His wife, when fifty-one years 
period before the Republican ])arty came into old, was attacked by a wasting fever that ter- 
existence an adherent of the Know-nothing minated fatally. Their children were: Joseph: 
party. He was taken to his long home in Can- Hannah: Sophia: Simon: Jacob: Andrew; Mary: 
ton, Ohio, Jidy 23, 1886. when aged seventy- Eliza; John; Sarah, who died in early life; and 
three years. Levi, the youngest of the family and the subject 

of this sketch. 

When a youth of fifteen summers, our subject 

went to Ashland, Ohio, where he learned the 

miller's trade, which he followed for two years, 

LEVI REPMAN, one of Chewton's leading and then worked on a farm until he had attained 

citizens, whose portrait appears on the o])posite his majority. In 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 

page, is a gardener and model farmer of Wayne 120th Reg. O. \'. 1.. and served two years as a 

township. His life l)egan in Wayne Co., Ohio, private. Then having discharged his duty as a 

Oct. II, 1842, and his parents were Joseph and loyal citizen, he left the service as his period of 

Mary (Leet) Repman. Josejjh Repman when a enlistment was up and went to Indiana and 

lad of thirteen took passage on a .sailing vessel worked in a saw-mill and farmed for three years. 

from Frankfort. Germany, to the United States; His next move brought Jiim to the grist-mills at 



362 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Rochester. Pa., where he staid five years. In JOHN Y. McAXLIS, a leading and eminent 
1868, he changed his occupation and worked in agricuUurist of Hickory township, was born 
a Hnicstone c|uarry for a year, for his throat had Aug. 9, 1838, and is a son of W'ilham and Mar- 
become affected liv the dust of tlie niiUing. In jorie (Young McAnhs, and grandson r)f James 
company with P. Fisher, Afr. Kepnian leased the and Susan (Sleith) McAnlis. 

Shin, Williams & Ho. lime kilns, and they (_)ur subject's grandfather was a farmer by 
burned lime for twenty years. He was a railway occupation, and followed that vocation ever after 
engineer for two years, and then Ixnight thirty- coming to this country; he had been educated 
three acres of the McC'ulIon farm, and in i8y2 for the ministry, and was soon to be a clergy- 
built a house thereon. He hail previously built man. when his father's death upset his plans and 
one in Wampum in 1877. He owns a farm of ten transferred upon his shoulders the burden of 
acres, on which he has erected the necessary supporting the family. He brought his family 
buildings, and made improvements so that it is to America in 1821, and made a home for them 
thoroughly modern, and there he carries on in what is now Big P>eaver township, then situ- 
farming and gardening. Mr. Repman chose for ated in Peaver township, but now an integral 
his wife Elizabeth McCullon, whose father was part of Lawrence County. ( )n this farm of his 
Aaron McCullon, and at her death she left two in Pig Reaver township, which he subsequently 
children, of whom Harry is a school teacher, and from time to time enlarged to a large and very 
Ida J. married F. Schneider. (3ur subject then valuable property, he lived until taken home to 
married again, the bride being Jennie Douthett. those gone before. His wife, who was also a 
and her demise at thirty-eight years left a son. native of the beautifid Emerald Isle, bore him 
Charles. ( )ur suljject's third wife, now presiding nine children. The boys were: Samuel; John; 
over his household, was Maud Lostetter, whose \Villiam. the father of our subject; Robert; and 
father was James Lostetter of Pulaski. James, who was six months old when the family 
Mr. Repman is a Republican and has served left the home in Ireland. The girls were: Jane 
as school director for thirteen years, as member (Young), died (Jet. I, 1897. aged 98 years; Eliza 
of the council fcir six years, and as treasurer of (Kirk); Susan (Patterson); and Margaret 
the borough of Wampum for two years. He is (Luke). Two of the family. Samuel and Robert, 
a member and past grand of the I. (^. ( ). F., died in Ireland, but with these two exceptions 
Lodge Xo. 196 of Wumpum, and also of the the remainder of the family grew to maturity. 
Encampment. Mr. Repman is a man who is They were Covenanters in regard to their relig- 
liked by all his business associates with ious belief and attachments. The family, al- 
no excejition, and is very highly esteemed though coming from Ireland, were of pure 
by his personal friends. He has ever done Scotch ancestry, their home having been in the 
what he could for the advancement of north of Ireland. 

the moral, social and educational interests of the William ]\IcAnlis was born in Ireland in 1810, 

community. and received the major portion of his education 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



363 



in the schools of the old country; on coniing to Castle: Marjorie. wlio has just fmished her 
this countrv with his parents in 1822. he worked course in the Slippery Rock Normal School, 
on the i)ateriial estate until thirty-three years of graduating in the Class of i8()-. July 2; J. Wil- 
age, when he located on a farm in Big Beaver son; and Chauncey R. Mrs. McAnlis is a mem- 
township, given to him by his father, who fitted ber of the Presbyterian Church, while Mr. 
each of his sons out in like manner. This con- McAnlis is somewhat liberal in his views, 
tinned to be his home until his decease June 18, lie is a Republican in his politics, and 
1880, and became the nucleus of an extensive has held the office of school director and road su- 
estale of 350 acres, which he gathered together ])ervisor, and is now attending to the duties of 
with prudence and forethought, aided in no lit- the office of poor director. He is popular and 
tie degree by hard work. His wife, a daughter companionable, and counts his friends by the 
of John Young, bore him the following children: score. In his Inisiness dealings, he is distin- 
James F.. who w-as killed when in the army, de- guished by his square and honest methods, and 
fending the CniiMi; John ^'.. the subject of this conscientious scruples against taking the least 
sketch; Robert S. ; William W. : Jose])h R., de- advantage of anyone with whom he may chance 
ceased; Susan J., deceased; Joseph H.; and Sam- to have business. In the connnunity at large he 
uel S. Our subject's mother died in 1885, when is known as the best of citizens, whose every en- 
aged seventy-four years. deavor has been to bring about needed improve- 
John Y. McAnlis was educated in the schools ments, and to elevate the moral tone, and keep 



of Big Beaver township, and has followed agri- 
cultural pursuits all of his life so far, until 1885 
in Rig Beaver township, and since that time on 
his farm of ninety-two acres in Hickory town- 
ship, which ])roperty he ac(juired by purchase. 
The property is well-improved, with a fair 
amount ,given over to tillage, and a goodly <|uan- 
tity left for ])asturage with rumiing water con- 
venient at hand for waterine- the stock; the farm 



it fixed on a his/h standard. 



J.V.MFS S. WOOD, a prosi)erous citizen of 
I'ulaski, Lawrence Co., Pa., was born in his 
present home on .Sept. 18, 1858. He is the son 
of Dr. William and ( irace (Scott) Woods. After 



attending the district schools in Pulaski town- 
is located about three miles from the center of ship, he spent two vears in \ ilia Maria, antl 



the city of New Castle, and is easy of access in 

every seascin. 

In 1870 his mi]nials with 1 lamiah Wilson, 
daughter of James Wilson of liig lieaver town- 



when his school days were over at thirteen years 
of age, he began clerking for his uncle, James 
F. Scott. For the tirst year he worked as an ap- 
[)rentice, and received no pa\, l)ut the second 



ship, this county, were consunmiated, and they year he had ninety-six dollars as wages, and that 

have resulted in the birth of five children, four increased to one hundred and ninety-two dollars 

of whom survive, as follows: Edwin M., who is the third and to four hundred dollars the fourth 

a clerk in Kirk .X: Smith's hardware store in .\ew vear, and at that tiuK- he was considered well- 



304 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

paid. The next move was to Bradford, Mc- ful physician, competent to deal with any case 
Kean Co., Pa., where Mr. Wood went into the that came up in a general practice. He never 
oil business, giving his time to that until 1884, laid down his work, but clung to his profession 
when he was recalled to I'ulaski township, and until liis death on July 3, 1863. Dr. Wood was 
has since continued to be a resident of Lawrence a Whig and afterwards a Republican; his time, 
County. He worked for his uncle until the death however, was never wasted on vain aspirations 
of that person in 1889, when Mr. Wood branched for public ofifice. The doctor was bound by mar- 
out for liiniself, and carried on a store until 1893, riage ties in 1854 to a daughter of James Scott 
when he disposed of his interests in the mercan- of Pittsburg, and two children were the issue of 
tile line to Porter &■ Terrill. Another employ- the union: Margaret, on whom the hands of 
nient was the opening of a mineral well in 1891 Death were laid when she was six months old: 
on the Donaldson farm west of Pulaski, in which and James S., wdiose name is the title of this 
he reached the depth of eight hundred feet with biography. The family held to the Presbyterian 
his well-boring apparatus. This well he dis- faith. Mrs. Wood was a native of County Down, 
posed of to J. Renwick Davidson of Connells- Ireland, and was called to her last home on Dec. 
ville. Pa. Since that time he has been busy set- 3' 1884. 

tling the estate of his uncle, James F. Scott. Mr. Rev. \\'illiam Wood, grandsire of James S., 

Wood is a stanch Republican, and a thorough was of an English family, and was born Alarch 

man of affairs, well-liked and possessed of a -27, 1776. He was a Presbyterian minister, and 

wide acquaintance in social and religious cir- settled in Mercer County, in wdiat is now Pulaski 

cles. He is a member of the Junior Order of township, Lawrence Co. He was widely known 

United American Mechanics. and respected as a God-fearing servant of the 

Mr. Wood pledged his faith in wedlock with Lord, whose daily life exemplified in the fullest 

Fannie Francis, daughter of T. H. h'rancis of way the teachings of his Master; he was never 

Bradford, Pa. Two winning children ai e in their idle, as lie operated a farm, besides preaching 

home: Grace W., born Feb. 8, 1889, and Ken- the Gospel, and his farm is now the property of 

neth G., born July 8, 1881. Mrs. Wood is a John Byler. He was married May 11, 1798, to 

communicant of the M. E. Church. Margaret Donald, an English lady, who was 

Dr. \\'illiam Wood, the father of the subject born h'eb. 17, 1781. Their household consisted 

of this personal historv, was a Pennsvlvanian b\' of these members: John D., born Jan. 28, 1800; 

Iiirtli, and receive<l the rudiments of a common Isabella, Feb. 7, 1802;- Rebecca, Fnh. 15, 1804; 

school education; he then read medical books Samuel M., July i, 1806; William, Jr., father of 

for a year, and entered the Jefiferson Medical James S., Sept. 20, 1808; Marquis, Dec. 5, 1810; 

College of Philadelphia, from which he gradu- James H., March 28, 1813; Joseph S. and Ben- 

ated. He began to practice in Pulaski, and as jamin, twins. July 3, 181 5; Margaretta J., Jan. 

the years went l)y his practice grew to large 15, 1818; Elizabeth M., Nov. 10, 1820: and David 

proportions, and he was thought a very success- E., born Dec. 10, 1823. The worthy parents re- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



365 



mained witli their cliildren and reared them to htically, Mr. I'.uchanan was a follower of Jeflfer- 

be noble men and women until Mr, Wood's son and an admirer of JefTersonian principles, 

death Jul\ 31, 1839, and Mrs. Wood's de- Dnrinj? the War of 1812 he enlisted at Erie, Pa. 

partiire on April 20, 1842, for her home in the as a private. He and his family were I'resby- 

far country. Our subject comes from good terians. 



stock, and may be well proud of tracing his an- 
cestry l)ack into the last century. It is the men 
of sound i)rinciples and high ideas of patriotism, 
who have made the country what it is, and it 
rests with the men descended from such to keep 
our land the home of good citizens. 



MILTOX 1. I'.rCHANAX is a wealthy far- 
mer of Pulaski, Pa., and owner of the Shenango 
Valley Stock l-'arm. He was born in Lawrence 
County, Xov. 18, 1834. He was a son of John 
P. and l'"lizalieth (Irvine) lUichanan, the former 
of Pulaski, and the latter a native of Mercer 
Co., Pa. 

Robert Puchanan, the grandfather of the pres- 
ent scion of the liuchanan family, was a native 
of Wilmington, and redeemed a farm from the 
wilderness of its natural state, and brought it 
into such excellent condition that it yielded 



John I'. I'.uchanan, the only son (jf Robert, 
went to school in Pulaski township, and in this 
(lav of cheap glass, and its wide and extended 
use, it is quite difficult to imagine the lack of it, 
but it is a fact that the school which he attended 
had greased paper for the glazing in tiic windows. 
After he left school, he took uj) the pursuit of 
agriculture, and prospered as had his father be- 
fore him. P.eside his farm, Mr. lUichanan oper- 
atetl a saw-mill. He was a Democrat, and had 
his worth recognized by elections to several dif- 
ferent offices in the township, but he did not 
aspire to higher political honors. Mr. Buchan- 
an won the hand of Elizabeth Irvine in marriage; 
she was born Sept. 13, 1823, a daughter of Will- 
iam Irvine, and their faniily numbered six, of 
whom the eldest was Milton I., whose name ap- 
pears as the title of this jjersonal history. Mary 
T., the next in order of birth, married Henry 
Hartman of Xeshannock I'alls. and has a family 
of five children— Erank, \i(la. Harry, Clarence, 
and Eva. Enuna R. became the wife of William 



bountifully under his management and labors 

The farm not only provided sustenance for the Lostetter of Erie, Pa., and the mother of Edna, 

family, and all the necessaries and not a few of Clififord, and Helen. The other three children 



the luxuries of life, but also produced with so 
lavish a hand, that .Mr. I'.uchanan was enabled to 
lay by a comfortable competency for his old age. 
The wife of Robert Buchanan was Anna Piper, a 
daughter of John Piper of Mercer County, and 
she bore two children, of whom Mary A. died at 
thirty years of age, and John P., horn Dec. 18. 
1822, who lived to be the father of Milton I. Po- 



of the parental family died in infancy. The fam- 
ilv were consistent metubers of the Presbyterian 
Churcii. and regular attendants at the services. 
Mr. Buchanan was gathered to his fathers in 
1888. at the age of sixty-six. :Mrs. Buchanan pre- 
ceded her husband across the River of Death to 
rejoin the countless throng of those gone on be- 
fore, dying .Aug. 5, 1886. 



366 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Milton I. Buchanan, wliose ancestral history JAMES P. BROWN, an affluent and influen- 

has just been recorded, was under the tutelage of tial farmer of Pulaski. Lawrence Co., Pa., was 

village school-masters until he was a well-grown horn in the above township, June 25, 1826. His 

youth, and then he went to work in earnest on father, James Brown, came from Mercer Coun- 

the homestead, as he was the only son that grew ty, and his mother, who was Elizabeth Malone 

up, and he now has 259 acres of fine, arable before her marriage, came from the eastern part 

land. He not only keeps up the ordinary indus- of the State. The Brown familv are Pennsyl- 

tries of the farm, but makes a specialty of breed- vanians from away back. John Brown, the 

ing standard stock, and it is all registered, Ijeing grandfather, came from east of the mountains 

of such first-class varieties as Short-horn cattle, toward the close of the last century, and pre- 

Shropshire sheep, and Poland-China hogs. Mr. empted 500 acres of land, which he found as na- 

Buchanan is just the man who has at his ture left it, a wilderness of forest ; in the first year 

tongue's end an inexhaustible fund of informa- he cleared a part of this tract, and dressed the 

tion, and he is able to answer anv (juerv from soil fur the reception of the seed for the new 

general rules down to minute details in regard to crop. Thereafter from year to year he em- 

the care of stock. He owns the celebrated Scar- ])loyed his spare time in felling the forest trees, 

let Neck Bull, register number 1 17645, the dam and performing such other labor as was neces- 

of which was imported from Scotland. sarv to put his farm in first-class condition. He 

On December 29, 1880, occurred Mr. lUichan- was a man of some importance in his time, and 

an's union with Hannah !■". Cox, daughter of served in the War of the Revolution, possessing 

Charles Cox of Wilmington township, Lawrence a captain's commission at its close. He became 

County, and they have a family of three children, the head of a family, and his wife brought into 

John P., Nellie L., and Robert P.. In religious the world: Joseph; Jehu; James; William; and 

belief they incline to the Presbyterian doctrines, John. The family held liberal views on religious 

and are memliers of that church. Mr. Buchanan subjects. 

has held his quota of the township offices and is James Brown, the father of James P., the pres- 

now school director. He is just attaining mid- cut representative of that name, enlisted in the 

die life, and already he is able to look about on War of 1812, when his school-days were scarcely 

broad acres, well-filled barns, and see on every over and served until the war was over as a pri- 

hand evidences of his prosperity. He can give vate. When he had received his honorable dis- 

his children many advantages and assure them charge, he labored for a while in C)hio, and then 

a place in the community, where his antecedents bought the farm in Pulaski townshi]) that is now 

are well-known, and where the Buchanan name the |.)ropertv of his son. At that time the land 

is highly esteemed. Mr. Buchanan's renown as was a part of Mercer County. By thrift and 

a skilled agriculturist and stock-breeder is not good management, he laid by property, and gave 

confined to his immediate neighborhood, but ex- to his surroundings an air of prosperity that led 

tends throughout Lawrence County. him to be accounted one of the best agricultur- 




HkOF. WILLIAM PARSONS. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 309 

ists in the comiiuuiity. He wedded Elizabeth Ma- and hves in I'ulaski; one son. James Russell, 

lone, and their only child was James P., whose has blessed their marriage. 

name figures as the heading of this article. Po- In religious belief, Mr. I'rown holds liberal 

litically. our subject's father was a Demo- views, and Mrs. P)rown is a member of the Dis- 

crat. lie obeyed tlie sunnnons of death before ciples Church of Pulaski. Mr. Pniwn is one o{ 

he reached middle life, at the age of thirty- the foremost farmers of Pulaski township, and 

five, in 1826. has an unlimited amount of farm lore, which is 

James P. Brown was given an ordinary school- the result of his long experience. He is a good, 

ing in the district school, and after serving a full substantial citizen, interested in the welfare and 

apiirenticeship at the carpenter's and joiner's growth of the county, and merits the recogni- 

trade, worked at his trade in ( )hio, and tion that is accorded by the best citizens to his 

then came to Lawrence County, where he worth, 
had considerable employment as a builder; 

he was considered a skillful workman, and — *.^-»^ 

ranked among the best artisans in wood in 

Western Pennsylvania. He is an uncomprom- PRUF. W ILLI.VM PARSOX.S, tlie leading 
ising. loyal Rei)ublican. and lias been a school music-teacher of New Castle, band and orches- 
director, although he has not aimed at office- tra director, and accomplished cornet i)layer, was 
holding. In 1851 were celebrated the nuptials horn in Cornwall. England, Dec. 11, 1865 .and 
of James P. lirovvn and Lorena W. Corning, is a son of Jabez and Susanna (Sweet) Parsons, 
daughter of S. L. Corning of Hartford, Conn, and grandson of Joseph and Rebecca 1 'arsons. 
She was born in lirookfield, Trumbull Co., Ohio, Our subject's father was born in Cornwall, 
and has borne Mr. I'.rown a family of five sons: England, and in early life learned the shoemak- 
Carson C: Frank X.; Wells A.; Dawson A.; and er's trade, Init later in life also worked at min- 
James Alpheus. The eldest son, Carson C, ing. After his son came to .Xmerica, he became 
wedded Margaret Judy of Pulaski, and they anxious to see this glorious country, and to be- 
have two children — J. P.urton and Charles A. come a resident <jf it, and so in 1887 he followed 
Frank N., the second son. was a ])romising with his family, and has since lived in Hazelton. 
young lawyer of New Castle, who died in 1893 and Salem, Ohio, and now lives in Ellwood City, 
at thirty-five years of age. after a successful prac- where he carries on shoe-making. He is also a 
lice of four years succeeding his admission to skilled teacher of music, and is leader of the Ell- 
the bar. Wells A. married Lottie Browlee of wood Band of twenty-four pieces, and of the 
New Bradford, Pa., and they have two children \\'ampum P.and of twenty-three pieces. Twelve 
living — Stewart and Ronald. Dawson A. was children were born to him and his good wife; of 
united in the bonds of matrimtmy with Daisy this number two died as infants, those living are: 
Shields of New Bradford. James Alpheus. the Alice, the wife of Richard Thompson of York- 
youngest son. chose (irace Johns for his wife. shire. England ; Prof. William, the subject of this 



370 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

sketch; Annie, the wife of Asa McDonald of testimony- from Prof. Rol)ert Bell of Skclton, 
Greenville, Ohio; Bessie, the wife of E. Rum- R. S. (_)., Yorkshire, a graduate M. C. O., the 
mel of Xew Castle; lohn, a machinist; Jennie, following: "1 have the greatest pleasure in tes- 
the wife of R. Raher of Salem, Uhio; and Tillie, tifying to your ahility as a first-class nuisician, 
Harrv, Elena and Arthur, who live at home. and also a performer on the cornet of the first 
Prof. Parsons in his youth worked at the Pease order, and capable to take any orchestra, brass- 
mines in Yorkshire. When a bo\', he exhibited band, or musical society in hand, and to coniluct 
a passionate love for music and a natural musi- and teach the same. (Signed) Prof. Robert Bell, 
"cal abilitv, such that his father, who was confi- M. C. O." ( )ur suliject arrived in New Castle in 
dent of the latent skill developing into something 1886, and soon established himself with a very 
far above the average, placed him under the in- good patronage, and has not only taught per- 
struction of the best nnisic teachers of the cor- formers on the cornet, but has also given in- 
net, and the result soon C(3nvinced him that his struction in playing the piano and in other musi- 
hopes w-ere well-grounded, for William ac(|uired cal instruments. In 1894. he organized and in- 
such a knowledge of the instrument ami ease in stnicted the Elwood City Band. His labors in 
handling it, as Xu place him in the front rank of the advancement of the musical interests of the 
performers. At the age of twelve years, he took citw and in furnishing the best of music for vari- 
part in a public contest of seven cornet players ous functions have won him the generous sup- 
at Spinnymore, England, and won the first prize, port and good will of a large part of the citizens. 
In 1884 and 1883 he entered six different con- In i8<)2, he bought a vacant lot, then covered 
tests in Yorkshire and Durham, England, and with tindier, at No. log Pearson Street, cleared 
won five otit (.)f the six. At this time he also was and brought it to grade, and on it erected a beau- 
a memlier of the Skinniegrove Band, which was tiful home. He also owns a choice ])uilding and 
the best in Yorkshire. Having an uncle who lot adjoining his home. 

was living in New Castle, he decided to come to Mr. Parsons is an exj)ert paper hanger and 
this country and locate in Lawrence County and gives considerable time to that business, having 
make the teaching and perfcirming of music his decorated many of the walls of the most prom- 
profession, having been instructed liy the best inent homes in this section. 

teachers of the art. The (people in the county in Prof. Parsons married Valina Lorena Rum- 

which he lived having received a notification of mel. daughter of Jacob Runmiel of New Castle, 

his intended de])arture for the new world, with and has two children: William Otto, born Dec. 

the people of Skinniegrove, Yorkshire, England. 25. 1889; and Florence Aclelia. Aug. 6. 1893. Our 

presented him with a richlv hand-engravetl B subject invariably supports the Republican 

flat cornet from the workshop of F. Besson & partv. He belongs to the Knights of the Golden 

Co., of London, Eng., which took thirty-one Eagle, is a member of the K. of P. Lodge, 

medals at the London and Paris Expositions. Musical Union of the Cnitcd States, and is a 

He also took as a letter of introduction and as a member and manager of the Mendelssohn Or- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



371 



cliestra of New Castle, Pa. J lis orchestra fur- 
nished the music for the opening season at Cas- 
cade Park, season of 1897. Prof. Parsons filled 
six seasons as cornet soloist with the famous 
Toerge Orchestra of Pittsburg, at IJedford 
Springs. Pa. He lias also played with the lead- 
ing hands and orchestras of this section of the 
country. 

Prof. Parsons is at all times prepared to fur- 
nish on short notice bands or orchestra music of 
tlic highest order for parties, receptions and 
other engagements. His portrait, found on a 



of his goods he managed to continue in business 
and to gradually extend his operations, so that 
now he possesses a fine, large stock of dry goods 
and groceries. He is a man of business talent, as 
is evidenced by his rise from humble beginnings, 
and he has good standing among the business 
men of Pulaski, where in iiis dealings he has 
made a host of acfjuaintances. and where socially 
he is a person of importance. M?;. Welch is a 
Mason and in the line of political offices he has 
been overseer of the poor and school director. 
Mr. Welch was wedded in 1848 to Eliza John- 



preceding page, is the likeness of a man who has son. daughter of A. Johnson, and they have tliree 



cultivated the musical and ethical side of his 
nature, and risen to a place of prominence by 
reason of his superior talents, and the hard work 
that was necessary to bring them into the per- 
fected state. 



JAMES L. WELCH is a nourishing, thriving 
merchant of Pulaski, Pa. He was born in Coits- 
villc, Ohio, July 18, 1824, and was a son of John 
and Charity (Lyons) Welch. The father was and learned the shoemaker's trade in Youngs 



children. Ellis L., the eldest, is in the employ 
of the Pennsylvania R. R., in the freight depot 
at Voungstown, Ohio; he married Susie P. Lee 
of I'oland, Mahoning Co., (Jhio, and is the father 
of three daughters — Elora, Grace, and Mabel. 
Elorinda is deceased. John E. married Elizabeth 
T. Eoley of Reynoldsville, Pa., and they have 
one daughter, Helen M. Jolin clerks in his 
father's store. 

John Welch, father of James L., was educated 
in the common schools of Trumbull County, O.. 



from Washington Co., Pa., and the mother was 
a native of Hubbard, Trumbull Co., Ohio, her 
people coming there from New Jersey. After 
going to school in Hubbard, .Mr. \\'elch learned 
the harness-maker's trade, and that included car- 
riage trimming and trunk making; after his ap- 
prenticeship was ended he worked on his own 
responsibility until his health began to fail and 
he was forced to consider a change. This was 
in 1859, when with a comparatively small 



town, tie located in Hubbard, Ohio, and spent 
tlie rest of his active period there. His wife was 
Charity Lyons, daughter of Barnabas Lyons, 
and they were faithful members of the M. E. 
Church. They had these children: James L. ; 
William: Plympton; Margaret; Bascomb R.: and 
John W., who died while in the army. The 
father was called home to Iiis rest in Brookfield, 
Ohio. 

James Welch, the grandfather, for whom the 



amount of capital he began to deal in merchan- ])resent James Welch was named, was Irish by 
dise; by judicious buving and attractive display birth; after liis marriage to Margaret Welch he 



372 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



came to America, and made his home in Wash- wife of James Johnson of W'ihiiington, Pa., and 
insjton County, Pa., and later removed to Trum has borne him Charles, William, John and Anna, 
bull Co., now Mahoning Co.. Ohio. He w-as a Catherine, the second child of John Miller, mar- 
tailor and worked at that trade for several years ried Phillip Conrad of Yoimgstown, Ohio, and 
until he had saved enough to buv a farm, where these children gathered about their fireside and 
he went to spend the rest of his life. He was for partook of their affectionate care: William; Wal- 
that time a man of means. He and his wife ter; Harriet : Catherine : Dorothy : Margaret ; and 



were the parents of Samuel, James, Robert, Isa- 
bell, Margaret, Lydia. and two children who 
died in infancy. They were adherents of the 
M. E. Church. Mr. Welch's life closed in 1833, 
when he was si.xty-eight years old. 

James L. \\'elch has attained his present pros- 



Elizabeth. Margaret, the next child in order of 
birth, married Mr. France of (_)hio, now de- 
mised: their children were — George, Kate, An- 
nie, and Ida. After the death of her first hus- 
band, being left with quite a family of children 
to rear and educate to their proper position in 



perity in the way open to all by hard work and the world, she accepted the hand of John Grey 
presevering endeavors, and he is eminently de- in marriage and went to live with him in Wil- 
serving of greater good fortune. We find just mington. Pa. William has a wife and family, 
such men in the front ranks of every business and lives in Kansas City, Missouri. r.oth of our 
and among every community, whose success subject's parents are deceased, the mother pass- 
has been independent of another's assistance. ing away in i88g. In religious belief they were 

Lutherans. 
^^.^^m John J. Miller had the ordinary school advan- 
tages, which he improved to the best of his abil- 
JOHX J. MILLER, now deceased, was for ity, distinguishing himself then among his 
inanv vears a successful traveling salesman, and schoolmates, as he did afterward among his as- 



made his home in Pulaski township, Lawrence 
County. He was born in Armstrong Co., Pa., 
Feb. 28, 1840, and was descended from John and 



sociates in business, by a fixedness of purpose 
and general earnest bearing that proved so valu- 
able to him in his business career. He learned 



Priscilla (Aliller) Miller; the father was from the carpenter's trade, and was employed at that 

Armstrong County, ami the mother's home was trade for a mimber of years until he secured a 

in I'lUtler Countv. position as traveling salesman for a farming im- . 

John :\Iiller, the father of our subject, had the plement house. He was a cordial, approachable 

usual education that boys received in his day, nian, and met customers in a manner that filled 

and learned the carpenter's trade, at which he his book with orders. His death was caused by 

worked during the years of his activity. He was an injury inflicted in an accident at Wampum, 

the father of five children, who grew to adult Pa. He never recovered his former health, and 

age: IMary; Catherine; Margaret; William; and the light of his life, after flickering feebly for 

John J. The eldest daughter, Mary, became the many months, went out at last in i8go, and his 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



373 



spirit was returned to Him that gave it. He had 
friends by the score, who admired his manly, 
upright character, and many were the expres- 
sions of regret that were uttered when the fatal 
nature of liis injuries f)ecame known. 

In 1862 Mr. Miller was united in nuptial bonds 
to Mary J. Dicks of Hickory township, this 
county, and they had one daughter, who grew to 
womanhood, and became the loving and trusted 
wife of Elmer Shields of New Bedford, Pa. Mrs. 
Miller was called to her last lionie on Dec. 19, 
1863. A second marriage was contracted on 
Aug. 2, 1864, with Sarah E. Rogers of New 
Bedford, Pa., born Aug. 12, 1844, a daughter of 
Thomas Rogers. She bore a son, Carl C, on 
Oct. 18, i86g; his death occurred July 6, 1895. 
A daughter. Xiiia ()., was born on April 2, 
1877. The family are members of the Disciples 
Church, and deeply interested in all the good 
work that is aided by that church, giving liber- 
ally of their means for its support. 



HEXRY KYLE is a retired and worthy citi- 
zen of Pulaski, Pa., who has closed a long career 
of arduous toil, and is now enjoying that calm 
that conies after the struggle, untroubled by 
many anxious thoughts of what the future may 
bring. Youngstown, Ohio, was the scene of his 
birth on Jan. 10, 1818. His ancestors for many 
generations back where farmers, and this fact 
probably accounts for his inherited constitution 
and virility. His parents were Robert Kyle of 
Youngstown, Ohio, and Mary (Ballard) Kyle, 
whose home had been in \'irginia. 



The paternal gran<lsire of Mr. Kyle settled on 
a farm bordering on the Monongahela River in 
the vicinity of Pittsburg, Pa. The family were 
Presbv-terians. Mrs. Kyle gave birth to: Sam- 
uel: Joshua: Robert: John: Jane (Davis); Han- 
nah: Mary: and Betsey. 

Robert Kyle as a school-boy in the forks of 
Youghiogheny received his training in the 
schools of that place, and learned the copper- 
smith's trade. He worked at that trade until he 
was advanced in years, and then his savings were 
invested in a farm, where he spent his later days 
in tilling the soil. The western portion of the 
city of Youngstown is built on what was Rob- 
ert Kyle's farm. He laid aside a reasonable com- 
petency, and was a good citizen and a Democrat 
in politics, holding township offices bestowed on 
him in recognition of his worth. His partner in 
the conjugal estate was Mary Ballard, a daugh- 
ter of John Ballard, Sr., and to them were given 
this large family of children: Sarah (Hogue); 
John: James; Henry, whose name stands at the 
head of this sketch; Mary Ann (\'an Fleet); 
Alexander; Thomas; Oliver: Laura; and three 
that died in infancy. They were loyal members 
of the Disciples Church. 

Henry Kyle went to school in Youngstown, 
where the school was supported by private sub- 
scriptions in default of public institutions. When 
his school days were over, he worked on his 
father's farm until he was twenty-two, when he 
became a stone-mason and labored at that voca- 
tion for several years. In 1864 he came to Pul- 
aski, and established a store and tin shop, and 
dealt in merchandise until 1875. In the interim, 
he had purchased a farm which is still carried on 
under his active supervision: he has been living 



374 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

in retirement since 1887. Politically, Mr. Kyle worked in New Castle one year, then traveled 

has l)een drawn bv the tenets of the Prohibition about over the Western States, working in Cin- 

partv, and he votes under that standard. cinnati two years, and in the month of August, 

( )n Feb. 6, 1840, occurred the auspicious event 1862, he obeyed the call for men at the front, 
that united the lives of Henry Kyle and Rebecca and enlisted in the service of the Stars and 
Van i'leet in marital felicity. She was Ixirn in Stripes. He was in the army three years, fighting 
Mercer Co., I'a. The Kyle household did not valiantly when occasion demanded it, and bear- 
depart from the precedent of previous genera- ing bravely and patiently the hardships of war. 
tions, and these young people gathered around (Jn his return from the field of battle, he opened 
the family board: Sarah; Almira; Heston; a blacksmith shop in New Bedford, where he 
Alice; Samantha; Herman ; John, who died aged has remained and established a good paying 
seventeen months; Alaria; ( )live; Jesse; Wal- business. He is a Republican, anil has been a 
lace W. school director and has served on the county 

Mr. Kyle's family attend the Disciples Cliurcli. committee. He still meets fraternally with his 

Mr. Kyle and his good wife have consented to comrades of the late war in a soldiers' club, being 

open their spacious home to a few sununer a member of Todd Post, G. A. R., Youngstown, 

boarders, as they are conveniently located about Ohio. 

three minutes walk from the noted Pulaski His father, Jacol) Cover, was a farmer of con- 
Spring and the postofiice, and also very near to siderable means, and t(_iok an honored position 
the churches. Mr. Kyle has a long s])an of years in the various places where he cast his lot. He 
to look back upon and he sees them well-filled came to Mahoning township in 1841, where he 
with unremitting toil that has not been without worked at clearing a farm of 118 acres in his 
its redeeming features. Now that he and his spare time, when not engaged in wresting a liv- 
wife are comfurtably settled for their declining ing from the soil; he remained on the farm until 
years, many friends wish for them and theirs con- 1865, when he removed to Poland, (Jhio, where 
tinned peace and contentment. he spent the remainder of his days. The other 

estates owned by him in addition to the one in 

-»--^i~m. Mahoning township were farms in Pulaski and 

Slippery Rock townships, one in Misouri, and 

SAMUEL CO\'ER, who is engaged in carry- still another of 175 acres in Douglass Co., Kan. 

ing on a pros])erous business in blacksmithing in His early political life was cast with the Whig 

New Bedford, Pulaski townshi]), was born in part}-; his connection with the Republican party 

Mahoning township, this count\-, March 15, dating from 1856, which marks its inception. 

1840, and is a son of Jacob and Lvdia (Robb) Much of his wealth was acquired in raising 

Cover, both of whom were Ohioans. C)ur sub- stock, an industry he carried on extensively on 

ject learned his trade with his i)rother in Mt. all of his farms. His wife, Lydia, was a daugh- 

Jackson, and also in MalKjningtown, I'a. He tcr of Jacob Robb, and she gave birth to the im- 




DR. JOSEPH R, LUTTON. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA IVRENCE COUNTY. 



usually large family of fourteen children, of 
whom the eldest, John, is demised. Mary, the 
second child, married J. J. Stoner of \\urteni- 
berg. this county, and they liad eight children: 
Paulina, deceased; Jacob; Alta, deceased; Will- 
iam; Julia; Lizzie; Clara and Lydia. Hannah, 
the third child, became the wife of William H. 
Raney of Union township and they have: Ly- 
dia, Mary, Wilson, and Nettie. Jeremiah, the 
next in order of birth, took for his wife and help- 
meet Mary Jackson of Mt. Jackson. Pa., and 
their family consists of Charles, Chester, Belle, 
Jcal and William. Henry married Esther Ann 
Shoaff and they had the following children : £d- 
mond K., Sarah, Maud, and Frank. The mother 
of these children is deceased. Hiram, now de- 
ceased, married Elsetta ShoafT of Union town- 
ship, and their household contained: Rion. 
Leon, May and Grace. The subject of this biog- 
raphy is seventh in point of seniority. Jacob, 
the eighth child, lives in Poland. Ohio, and is un- 
married. Ephraim is now deceased; William 
married Emma Hanson of Sharon, Pa. Chester 
united his life and fortunes with those of Lavina 
Barkley of Poland, Ohio, and their family is 
comprised of Harry E., John B., Jessie and 
George. The family have always been extremely 
regular in their attendance on divine worship in 
the M. E. Church. Jacob Cover passed away on 
Jan. 8, 1882, aged seventy-seven years, and IMrs. 
Cover survived until May 15, 1891, when she too 
entered into rest at the age of eighty-five. 

In 1873, 0"f subject led to the altar Miss Mary 
L. Watkins, daughter of John B. Watkins of 
Warren. ( )hio, and they were joined in the indis- 
soluble bonds of marriage. Their union has 
been made happy by the I)irth of five children: 



Samuel E., who works in the blacksmith shop 
at the forge with his father — he married Inez 
Bentley of Mercer Co., Pa.; Edwin C; Ephraim; 
Harvey E. ; and Lydia K. I'ollowing the foot- 
steps of his father, Mr. Cover has brought uj) his 
family in the fold of the M. E. Church, and ac- 
cording to its teachings. He is a good citizen, 
with broad views of the duties of citizenship, 
well-formed convictions on important subjects, 
and a deep interest in whatever pertains to the 
financial, educational, social, moral, or spiritual 
advancement of the township and county at 
large. 



UK. JOSEPH R. LUTTONT of New Castle, 
Pa., whose portrait we publish on the opposite 
page, was born in the above town. Oct. 26, 1872. 
and is a son of Mrs. Emeline (Cline) Lutton. a 
daughter of Jacob Cline, and a sister of Major 
Cline. To our subject's mother were born the 
following children: Charles W^. born A])ril 25, 
1858: .Albert G.. Dec. 10, 1859; James H., I'eb. 
14, 1861; Willard L., July 15, 1863; Agnes J., 
Dec. 22, 1864; Mary O., July 26, 1866: Laura 
E.. Nov. 5. 1867; Jacob L., Jan. 24, 1870: John 
K., Jan. 25. 1871; Joseph R., the .subject of this 
sketch; Ada. Jan. 4, 1874; Lctnoin, Dec. 10. 
1875; Mabel L.. Sept. 20, 1876: and Nesbit, Oct. 
29. 1879. 

Joseph R. Lutton was educated in the High 
School of New Castle. Pa., and in 1892 took a 
course in the business college, .\fter the com- 
pletion of his studies in that institution, he read 
medicine under tlie tutelag-c of Dr. .\. M. Cook, 



378 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

and remained in his preceptor's office until 1894. a piece of land that was still in its natural state 
when he became a student in the I'niversity of of wildness, and g'raduallv made it into a valu- 
Georgetown, Washington, I). C, and remained able farm, and came to be known as a man of 
there about one year. He then entered the Uni- means and excellent parts. He selected for liis 
versit}- of the South, which is located at Se- wife Mary Houston of Lancaster Co., Pa. She 
wanee, Tenn., and later on took a course in the gave birth to nine children, five of whoni are 
Peabody Institute, at Nashville, l\-nn., from living: Mrs. Amy Cowden : ^Irs. Mattie AIc- 
which he graduated in 1896; he inune- llride: ^Irs. Margaret Cowden; Tames J., who 
diately returned to New Castle, Pa., his lives on the homestead in Ohio; and Robert, 
native town, where he is meeting with excellent who became the fatlier of William S. 
success, considering the short time he has l)een Robert had an education that might be termed 
known as a professional man. \\"hat with his meager and desultory in its character; during 
especially fine education and special aptitude for his boyhood days, his time was claimed chiefly 
the healing art, it is predicted by many that he by farm duties, and as he grew up he naturally 
will make his mark, and rise to un(|ualifred sue- followed agricultural pursuits. He located near 
cess. In expressing his jiolitical i)references he Coitsville, C)hii), where he owned one hundred 
is not at all backward, 1)ut proudly owns that he acres, b\ the culture of which he gained an bon- 
is a Repul)lican. orable livelihood, and laid by a competency. He 

was a Democrat until bihn C. I'reniont's candi- 
dacy for the Presidency, when he \'oted foi' the 
"Pathfinder of tiie Rockies," and l)ecamc an 
influential member of the Republican ])art\-. He 
Wdl.Ll.XM S. P('\\'R^' is a tlciurishing and held various offici's of trust and responsibi1it\ ; 
pr(]speriius merch.anl of N'ew lledford, Pulaski he was justice of the Jieact' twelve consecutive 
townslii]), where he has built up a lucrative busi- \ ears, and served as county connnissiduer from 
ness in his few years of residence and comiection 1 866 lo 187 _'. ( )n .Sept. 22, 1X4-', occurred his 
with the mercantik' interests of that village. Pie union with Margaret .Stewart, whose father was 
has the welfare and good name of New Pedford William Stewart of L'oits\iIk'. Their household 
nuich at heart, and few men contribute so nuich contained foiu" children: Marv J.; William; 
to its general jM-osperity. His birth occurred in Theorissa J.; and Sarah E. Mary J. married D. 
Coitsville, Mahoning Co., (.)., on Julv 13, 1847, *--• McP.ride of Mahoning townshii), Lawrence 
His parents, Robert and Margaret (Stewart) County, and had two sons, one of whom is Rob- 
Lowry, were natives of the same place. ert B., a United Presbyterian minister of Oska- 
Wiliam Lovvry, the ])aternal grandfather of loosa, Iowa, and the other is Charles C. Will- 
William S., was of Irish birth, and came to this iam S., the second child of Robert Lowry, is the 
cotnitry in the latter part of the last centiu-\', set- subject of this liiogra])hy. Theorissa J. became 
tling near Lowellsville, ()hio; there he bought the wife of 1. \V. McNabb, and the\- had a daugh- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. :;7it 

ter, Laka. Mr. McXabh is now deceased. -Sarali HIK.\M \'. MERRIMAN, an engineer liv- 

E. married W. S. Allen, and they live on tiic old ing at Xo. 57 Pearson Street, New Castle, and 

homestead in Ohio with their three sons — employed at the Rosena Furnace, which is oper- 

George, Leander, and .'Stewart. Mrs. Robert ated hv the ( )liver Iron & Steel Co. of Pittsburg, 

Lowry died July i, 1873, and was borne to her was Ixirn in I'.eaver County, near Economy, 

last resting-place on earth grieved by many Aug. 20, 1838. and is a son of I-"rederick and 

friends. On May 18, 1876, Mr. Lowry contract- Margaret (Davis) Merrinian. Both of our sub- 

ed a second alliance with Anna Madge of Mer- ject's parents died when he was a boy, the father 

cer Co., Pa. He departed to his long home 'n in 1848, and the mother in the year following at 

i8<;)i, at the age of seventy-four. His widow the age of si.xty years. Frederick Aferriman was 

survives him and resides in Xew \\'iImington. an agriculturist of P.cavcr County, who for a 

Pennsylvania. number of years owned and operated a saw-mill 

Our subject supplemented his district school at his home. The early death of our subject's 
education by a course in Westminster College parents deprived him of a definite knowledge of 
of \\'ilmington township. He engaged in farm- even the leading and salient facts of their anccs- 
ing. and also ran a threshing-machine for six- try. and this poverty of information as to who 
teen years. In 1876, lie settled in Pulaski town- were his grand|)arcnts has been much deplored 
ship, and bought a farm, whicli he conducted by him. .\t tlio age of thirteen years our sub- 
with great uniformity of success until i8<)4. i^"*^* '^^^^'^ "P '''^ home witli his uncle John Davis 
when he launched out into mercantile i)ursuits in Pittsburg, where he lived three years, attend- 
in New Bedford. He has held minor offices in ing the public schools of that city. His uncle 
the gift of his fellow-citizens and allies himself then removed to New Castle, and he continued 
thoroughly with the Republican party, whose his education for three more years in its schools, 
principles he warndv supports. He then learned how to operate an engine from 

In 1869, he was bound by the tics of wedlock his uncle, and followed it five (ir six years. Then 
to Mary E. Mars, whose father was J- J- Mars of for two years he was employed as engineer on 
Pula.ski township, and they have two children, of the river steamers plying on the rivers, above 
whom the elder, Edwin R., was born Dec. 28, and below Pittsburg, On his return to New 
1870: he attended Grove City College, and also Castle at the end of the two years, and for the 
Smith's Commercial School at Meadville, Pa. succce<Iing period of twenty-five years, he was 
He is now a clerk in his father's store, and was employed in the engine-room of the blast fur- 
married Feb. 25, 1897, to Clara McCluskey of nace and rolling-mill, and is now working at 
New Bedford. The daughter, Nellie, married the Rosena Furnace. He is a member of the 
Prof. A. E. Eckles of Mercer County. The fam- .•\ssociation of Stationary Engineers. T,odgc 
ily belongs to the M. E. Church of Xew Bed- Xo. 18. 

ford, in which they are active and useful mem- Mr. Merriman was married in December, 1858, 

hers. in Xew Castle, to Mar\- E. Stewart, who died 



380 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



Nov. 4, 1890; she was a daughter of William C. 
and Elizabeth (Stewart) Stewart. Mr. Merri- 
man's marriage was blessed witli four cliildren : 
William S., an engineer, living next <loor to his 
father; Margaret Elizabeth, who is keeping 
house for her father; Kate, the wife of Ed. E. 
Marshall, a L'roton Avenue business man; and 
Harry \ ., who resides in Pittsburg. Mr. ■Merri- 
man and his family have always been good 
church-goers, and have made it a point to sup- 
port to the best of their al)ilitv the church of 
their clKjice. the M. Y.. Church. Mr. Merriman 
is a Republican in his jxilitics. and uniforndy 
votes the ticket of that part)- at all electi<ins. 



CHARLES C. ROGERS is the popular and 
acconunodating agent o\\ the l^ennsylvania rail- 
road stationed at Pulaski. Pa. His parents were 
Pennsylvanians. (ieorge W. and Margaret Rog- 
ers, and he opened his eyes on life in Pulaski on 
Feb. 7, i86,v His father was a native citizen of 
Lawrence County, while the mother came from 
Westmoreland C'ounty. Practicalh all of our 
subject's life has been passed in his native coun- 
ty, and his famil\- for many years back has been 
in that vicinity, as is shown b\- the fact that his 
grandfather when a lad came with his parents 
from Washington to Mercer Comity, just across 
the county line. The\' settled on land that was 
as yet untouched liv the hand of man, and after 
Nathaniel Rogers, the grandfather of Charles C, 
grew large enough, he helped his father, and 
after the latter's death began farming for himself 
on the estate that fell to him. Politically he was 
a Whig, and then merged his sympathies with 



the Republicans. He married Catherine Bosell, 
a native of ]\Iercer County, and it was their for- 
tune to be the guardians of the happiness and 
welfare of nine children: George W'., who be- 
came the father of Charles C. ; bVanklin; Jacob; 
William; Catherine; Caroline; Alary; Rebecca 
J.; and John who died in infancy. The family 
adhered t(.) the Presb\terian faith. 

George A\'., the eldest sctu (jf Nathaniel Rog- 
ers, was born in North Lil)erty, Pa., June 22. 
1831, and was furnished with a conunon school 
education as an e(|uipment for life. He learned 
the wagon-maker"s trade when a \(>uth of seven- 
teen, and this continued through life to lie his 
only means of securing a livelihood. Tn 1847 he 
came to Pulaski township, where he set \\\s a 
wagon-sho]i. and has maintained it ever since, 
f^oliticall}' he is a strong Republican. In 1852. 
INIr. Rogers was bound by marriage tics to ]\Iar- 
garet P.est, daughter of ^^'illiam P>est of Mercer 
County, and she became the mother of six chil- 
dren. Al\-a. Mary and Alice are deceased. 
Charles C, I'rederick, William and tlie parents 
compose the family to-day. 

Charles C. Rogers attended the public schools 
of l^ulaski township, and after proceeding as far 
in the path of learning as the limited course of 
study would allow, he worked on a farm one 
season, and then found a place in the office of 
the Pennsylvania R. R., where he coukl learn 
telegra])hv. After some time spent in perfecting 
himself in the art, he was appointed a special 
agent, and was sent out to fill vacancies on short 
notice. He has been with the company for a 
matter of fifteen years, five of which were spent 
in running the office at Clinton, now Hoytdale, 
Pa. \w 1889 he was advanced to the position he 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAU'REXCE COUNTY. 381 

now liulds, that of station-agent at Pulaski, and tied in Mercer Co., this State, where William 
the intelligent manner in which he has uniformly Miller purchased at a nominal sum a level tract 
discharged his duties in the succeeding years has of land, which was then an untouched wilder- 
given him a place high in the regard of his cm- ness, and comprised some three hundred acres, 
plovers. He is known along the line as a good Locating near a spring of pure cold water, he 
operator, pleasant and obliging, and merits the commenced his clearing and erected a large antl 
regard that is extended to him. In social circles comfortable log-house, in which he ever after- 
he is an Odd Fellow. l)elonging to the Wampum ward lived. lie was a hard worker, and provided 
Lodge. Mr. Rogers inclines to the Presbyterian well for his offspring; he was a kind [)arent and 
Church in religious affairs. In political life, Mr. a tender husband, and was well-known for his 
Rogers holds strongly to the Republican course happy disposition. Most of the farm was cleared 
of action. He has twice been auditor of the during his life-time, and it remained his home 
township. He is a man who is deservedly jMipu- till his death at the age of seventy-eight. He 
lar among his associates and indeed among all served in the War of 1812, was justice of the 
his ac(|uaintanccs, and at all times^ treats every- peace many years, and contributed in other ways 
one with never-failing courtesy. The merit of t<i the support of the lawfully vested authorities, 
his work has secured him his present ])osition. His wife lived to be eighty years old. There 
and is the most powerful factor in enabling him were born to them the following children: Will- 
to satisfactorily fill it. and Imld it down. iam; |oseph; James M.; Xancy; and Mary; be- 
sides several more who did not grow up. 

-m-^^m James M. was born on the homestead, which 

was located near Grove City, Pa., served an ap- 
11()K.\CK G. MILLER, who has won the prenticeship in his youth at the carpenter's trade, 
highest esteem and regard of his fellow-citizens and worked on the locks during the construc- 
of New Castle, and ])crforms a leading part in tion of the old Penns\lvauia Canal. He followed 
the commercial life of the place, is the manager his trade until the age of fifty-five, when his wile 
of the Western I'nion Telegraph Co., and is died aged forty-eight years, and he went to Gal- 
also a dealer in cigars and tobacco, with office va. 111., where he bought a farm, living there un- 
and store at No. 22 East Washington Street, til his death at the age of seventy-six. His first 
New Castle. He was born in Perrv township, wife, who was a daughter of James Rose, left 
this couiity, June g, 1X56. and is a son of James him seven children, all of wiinni grew to occupy 
R. and .^aiali < ). (.Morton) .Miller, grandson of honorable positions in life; tliey were: James 
James M. and Hannah (Rose) Miller, and great- R.; Martha; .^arah : Lovina; William, now de- 
grandson of William and Nancy Miller. The ceased; David .M., also deceased; and ICrvin. By 
great-grandparents of our subject were natives his second marriage with Miss Kem]), he was 
of Scotland, and when thev came to America presented with three children: Charles; John; 
witii the cliildren then born to tlieni, tliey set- and L.-nnira. I le was originalK a 1 )eniocral, but 



382 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

in his later }cars voted the Repuhhcan tieket; home for Iiis declining years. Sept. 5, 1855, lie 
he belonged to the Presbyterian Church. married Sarah (Jlivia Morton, daughter of Will- 
At the age of sixteen, James R. Miller left iam and Hannah (Slemnions) Morton. Mr. 
Wilmington College, which he was then attend- Morton was a well-to-do and generally popular 
ing, to teach schor)l, and besides teaching dis- farmer of Harrisburg township, Pa.; he was a 
trict school taught two terms of select school at justice of the peace many years, represented the 
Hopedale, two terms in East New Castle, and town in the Legislature, and hckl other offices 
was teaching in the Union School at New Cas- of responsibility, dying at the age of sixty-seven 
tie when the war broke out, and he responded in 1X51. His wife lived to be seventy years old. 
to the call for volunteers. He was one of the Their children were: Margaret, the wife of 
first volunteers from his district, and from his James Wilson ; Robert S., a Presbyterian minis- 
influential position, and from his experience in ter: Joseph W., also a Presbyterian divine; Tir- 
public life, having served in the House of Rep- za P., the wife of M. Curry, taught for a long 
resentatives of Pennsylvania, he was made ser- time in the High School; William was a farmer; 
geant in Co. H of the 12th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., Hannah was a teacher; Mary J. was also a teach- 
enroUing his name for three montlis' service, er, and married W. D. lUitler; Sarah < )., the 
After six weeks in the arm_\-, he was taken sick mother of our subject, taught school even after 
with typhoid fever and cared for in a hotel at her marriage; Philo S. was a teacher; Samuel 
York, Pa., as at that time no hos])itals had been was a I'resbvterian minister. To the parents of 
established. With little hope for his ultimate our subject were born the following children: 
recovery, because of the serious impairment of Horace (i., the subject of this sketch; Ella K., 
his mind, he was removed, when he became con- born April 11, 1858, married L B. Griffith, a 
valescent, to New Castle, where his wife's faith- grocer of New Castle, and has two children: 
ful and loving ministry at length restored him to ( )livia M. and Paul B.; Hannah Rose, born June 
health. Then for a short period he acted as a 15, i860, married J. (j. Nothdurft of New Cas- 
clerk in a grocery store, and was then appointed tie, and has one child, Hiram J.; Mary M., born 
as clerk and baggageman for the N. C. & 1'.. June 3, 1867, married j. W. Reis, a dry goods 
\'alley R. R., now known as the E. & P. R. R., merchant of New Castle, and has two children, 
which position he held ten years, when his health Lillian M. and Wilbur W.; Harriet Hersey, born 
failed him, and he was forced to resign and take June 18, 1870, graduated from the Female Sem- 
means for the recuperation of his strength. Sub- inary at Washington D. C, in the musical course, 
se(|uently he became agent for the N. C. & P. and is now employed as an instructor in her s]>e- 
R. R., and continued in the road's service five cial line; William Gray, l)orn Sept. 25, 1873, a 
years, when his health. again became poor, and graduate of the Baltimore College of Physicians 
he was compelled to retire from active work. and Surgeons, is the resident physician of the 
He bought the P. K. Sedwick estate of No. 63 Shenango Valley Hospital. Our subject's father 
Milton Street, and has made it a very pleasant is a Republican, and has been auditor and a 




JAMES WILLIAM KNOX. 







I 




MRS. MARY C. KNOX. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



3S( 



member of the city council. He is a member of 
the local (j. A. R. Post, and belongs to the Pres- 
byterian Church. 

Horace G. Miller, the subject of this l)rief biog- 
rai)hy, attended the public school and Johnson 
Academy, and during his vacation at the age 
of si.xteen years became a messenger boy, and 
when seventeen years old was ap|)ointc(l tiie first 
messenger for the Xew Castle telegra])h office, 
which was then located in the Leslie House. In 
1873, he worked at Lawrence [unction for a 
short time, and in the same year was appointed 
agent at Xew Port, and became manager in 1S75 
of the Atlantic & Pacific Co.'s telegraph station 
at Millerstown, Pa. On ( )ct. 21,. 1877, the West- 
ern I'nion Telegraph Company absorbed the 
various and conflicting lines, and our subject 
was appointed manager of the office and busi- 
ness at New Castle, Jan. i, 1878. His service 
has been uninterrupted from that time to this, 
and his work in all that time has been generally 
satisfactory to the officers of the company and 
the patrons of the office. In 1886, he found an 
opportunity to enlarge his field of usefulness in 
the mercantile circles of New Castle, and added 
to his duties as manager of the W. I'. Telegraph 
office the retail dealing in cigars and tobacco. 
Also during this time Mr. Miller was interested 
in the retailing of hard and soft coal, having 
yards on the cast side, where the (jailey Lum- 
ber Co. is now located. From 1875 to 1878 he 
specidated extensively in the oil fields. 

Jan. 12, 1882, he was married to Maggie Wal- 
lace, daughter of Dr. John W. Wallace, who un- 
til his death, which occurred June 24, 1889, was 
one of the most prominent citizens of Lawrence 
County, lie represented this district in Congress 



1 862- 1 864, and 1 874- 1 876. Mr. Miller's present 
residence is No. 29 North Jefferson Street, the 
house built and formerly occupied by Dr. John 
W. Wallace; he built, for the reception of bis 
bride, the first house ever erected on Linci)lu 
Avenue. Our subject has gathered about his 
fireside four children, as follows: Annie W., born 
Dec. 15, 1882; Francis M., Jan. 12, 1885; Louise 
M., Feb. 27, 1889; and Horace G., Jr., Aug. 19, 
1894. Mr. Miller is an uncompromising Repub- 
lican, and has served on the Republican County 
and State Committees, and is president of the 
I\e])ul)lican Club. He is well-advanced in Ma- 
sonic ( )rders. He is a member and past master 
of Mahoning Lodge, No. 243, F. & .\. M.; Delta 
Chapter, No. 170, R. A. M.; past high priest of 
the Lawrence Commandery, No. 62, K. T. ; and 
Mystic .Shrine. He is past chancellor command- 
er of the K. of P., .New Castle Lodge, No. 404, 
was its first and is now its master of exchequer, 
lie is a member of the Sons of \"eterans, O. L. 
Jackson Camp, No. 249; and Junior Order of 
L nited .-Xmerican Mechanics. 



JAMFS WILLIAM KNOX is an esteemed 
and honored citizen of Ellwood City, Wayne 
township, Lawrence County, whose life story 
reads more like a romance than the prosaic sum 
of every-day existence. He has no record of his 
birth, but believes he was born in Allegheny 
shortly l)efore the Mexicon War. His parents 
were James and Lizzie (Matthews) Knox, and 
he was named for his father. James Knox, Sr., 
enlisted, when the Mexican War broke out, to 
serve under the glorious .Stars and .^tripes, the 



388 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



emblem of the United States, and became a 
member of Col. Black's famous regiment; while 
serving his country, he bravely met his death in 
the front ranks of the advance at the Battle of 
Stone Bridge. The mother also died during the 
war, leaving James W., Joseph, and a daughter. 
The children were separated, the little girl died 
in childhood, and James and Joseph did not 
meet for many years. James grew to manhood 
and knew nothing of his parentage until he ran 
across his father's brother, a hat manufacturer 
in Pittsburg, who gave him the family history 
as fully as he could. 

When the home was broken up after his 
mother's death, James became an inmate of the 
Allegheny County Home, and there attracted 
the notice of John H. Wilson of Franklin town- 
ship, Beaver Co., Pa., who owned a large farm 
of five hundred acres, and was one of the most 
well-to-do farmers in his county. Mr. Wilson 
was a generous, warm-hearted man, fond of 
children, and liked to have them about him. He 
had children of his own, but opened his heart 
and his home to the friendless little lad, and 
James Knox was as a son of the family for 
twenty-six years. Mr. Knox received from the 
hands of his benefactor and wife the nucleus of 
his property. They were good guardians and 
faithful friends, and their portraits hang on the 
wall of his home to-day among the most treas- 
ured objects of his care; but there is another 
more substantial proof of his gratitude in the 
persons of three sons and a daughter who were 
left orphans like himself, whom he has taken 
into his care and keeping, as none came to bless 
his home and bear his name. He has returned 
measure for measure, providing for each daily 



want, educating them, and providing them with 
a suitable start in life. Surely, he could find no 
more fitting way in which to express his appre- 
ciation of the kindness shown him when he was 
in need of it. 

Mr. Knox's first employment after he left the 
farm of his foster-father to earn his own living, 
was to run an engine in Pierce's Mill on Pine 
Creek, Allegheny County. Then in 1862, re- 
sponding to the call for more men at the front, 
he enlisted in Co. F, 140th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., 
and ser\-ed through the two dreadful years that 
followed. His brother, Joseph, also served in 
the Union Army, and after his second enlistment 
received a wound, from which he never fully re- 
covered, and which was the cause of his death 
in 1869. Our subject was wounded at the Bat- 
tle of Spottsylvania Court House, and bears the 
mark of battle on his person in the shape of a 
maimed hand. The father and two sons on the 
field for the honor of their country and the pres- 
ervation of the National Union, what a noble 
record it is! The young men of the present 
day will not fall very far short of their du- 
ties as citizens, if they but emulate such 
worthy examples. 

In 1875, Mr. Knox went on a prospecting tour 
through several of the Western States, stopping 
for a considerable period in Missouri and Wash- 
ington Territory. His active mind caught at 
the chance of making money by dealing in 
hogs, and he added materially to his bank ac- 
count by his gains in that line of business. In 
1877, he bought fifty-five acres, then known as 
the Cunningham place, in Wayne township, this 
county, and in 1884 added to this tract twenty 
acres more, known as the McGregory place. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



3S9 



showing sagacity in the investment, and becom- 
ing the owner of a snug property. Business 
men on the alen to estabhsh a town saw a favor- 
able location in Mr. Knox"s farm, and, after 
conveying to him a due consideration, the land 
was surveyed and laid out in town lots, Tinplate, 
Franklin Forge and Ellwood City and the Glass 
Works then appearing for the first time on the 
map of Lawrence County. Mr. Knox became 
impressed with the wisdom of the corporation 
that was occupied in furthering the growth of 
Ellwood City, so as a speculation he bought 
quite a number of lots, which he still retains. In 
1892, he built the fine residence on the corner 
of Ninth Street and Crescent Avenue, which 
afTi>rds him a home that is complete and finished 
in regard to all of its arrangements. Mr. Knox 
took an active interest in the growth of the fast- 
developing town, and supervised the grading of 
the streets, and also a considerable part of the 
work that was done to provide facilities for the 
draining-off and the disposal of the sewage. 
Mr. Knox controls important interests in the 
Gas Company. He is very popular among his 
townsmen, and has been honored by being 
elected school director. 

In 1879 our subject was joined in the bonds 
of matrimony with Mary Catherine Rouser, 
daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Gillespie) 
Rouser. She was the youngest of her parents" 
five children: Minerva Jane, deceased; James 
Milton; Thomas Jefferson; Joseph Preston; and 
Mary Catherine. Mr. and Mrs. Knox are mem- 
bers of their chosen church home, the Presby- 
terian. Mr. Knox is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias, and also a member i>f F.<lc!i Park 
Lodge. Xo. 10, L O. O. F. 



A< cached honor and good 

name, who has made his own way through life 
and attained success in his endeavors. Mr. Knox 
has made his name respected in his community. 
He is a man of sterling integrity and good prin- 
ciples, whose friendship is a precious boon, 
whether the recipients are young or old. It be- 
comes our pleasant duty to round out this per- 
sonal history and bring it to a satisfactory- close 
by announcing that on a foregoing page appears 
an excellent likeness of Mr. Knox, as a gentle- 
man who represents the class of men who have 
been e.vceedingly fortunate and successful in life. 
As a companion picture, we also publish the 
portrait of Mrs. Knox. 



JAMES R. MILLER, a retired citizen of New 
Castle. Pa., is a man whose name will not be 
soon forgotten because of his active connection 
with the educational development of the town, 
having been for many years a teacher in the dis- 
trict schools, and a principal of the old Union 
School. Many men prominent in the county re- 
ceived precious lessons from him in their youth, 
and no doubt owe much of their present pres- 
tige to the beneficent influence he exerted upon 
them. He was bom in Xew Castle, Sept. 25, 
1832. and was the eldest son and child of James 
M. and Hannah (Rose* Miller, and grandson of 
William and Xanoy Miller. Our subject's 
grandparents were both born in Scotland, where 
William Miller started out in the battle of life as 
a farmer. With the children, who were then 
bom to them, they came to the new and glorious 
countrv of .\merica. as it seemed to the Old 



;!!>0 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



World resident, and settled in Mercer Co., Pa., occupy honorable positions in life; they were: 

where William Miller for a nominal sum bought James R.; Martha; William, twin of Martha, de- 

a level tract of wilderness, comprising in the ceased; David M., also deceased; Irwin; Sarah; 

neighborhood some three hundred acres. Find- Lavinia. By his second manage with Miss 

ing a spring with a plentiful supply of clear cold Kemp he had three children : Charles ; John ; 

water, he commenced his clearing there, and Laniira. He was originally a Democrat, but in 

near by erected his log-house of a ver\- comfort- later years voted the Republican ticket; he be- 

able size, in which he ever afterward lived. He longed to the Presbyterian Church, 

was a very hard worker, Init found time to lavish James R. Miller attended Wilmington Col- 

a wealth of afifection on his beloved wife, and lege, but when quite young left to teach school, 

their sturdy children, for he possessed a happy, and besides teaching district school taught two 

loving nature, and his lavish generosity was well- terms of select school at Hopedale, two terms 

known among his neighbors, and was often the in East New Castle, and was teaching in the 

subject of conmient. He cleared most of the L'nion School at New Castle when the war 

farm, and took a prominent place in the commu- ln'oke out, and the call for volunteers was issued 

nity as a progressive and wide-awake man; the by the President. He was one cjf the first vol- 

farm remained his home till released from earth- unteers from his district, and from his influential 

ly toil and trouble, being seventy-eight years old position, and from his experience in public life, 



at his decease. He served in the War of i8iJ, 
was justice of the peace many years and con- 
tributed in other ways to the stability and pros- 
peritv of the government. His wife passed away 
at the age of eighty. Their children were: 
William; Joseph; James i\I.; Nancy; and Mary. 



Iiaving served in the House of Representatives 
of Pennsvlvania, he was made sergeant in Co. H 
of the 1 2th Reg. Pa. \'o\. Inf., enrolling his 
name for three months' service. After six weeks 
in the army, he was taken sick with typhoid 
fever, and cared for in a hotel at York, Pa., as 



Several more children were born to them, but at that time no ho.spitals had been established, 
the)- died young. When so far convalescent as to be able to be re- 
James M. was born on the hoiuestead, which moved to his home, he was taken to New Cas- 
was located near Grove City, Pa., and served an tie, but his friends entertained very little hope for 
apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, and his ultimate recovery, for his mind was impaired 
worked on the locks during the construction of to an alarming extent. P.ut the loving care of a 
the old Pennsylvania Canal. He followed his tender-hearted woman can do wonders toward 
trade until the age of fifty-five, when, losing his healing the sick and bringing health and color to 
wife who was aged forty-eight years, he went the thin and haggard cheek, and so it was his 
to Galva, 111., and bought a farm, living there wife's faithful nursing that restored him to 
until his death at the age of seventy-six. His health, so that after a long time he was able to 
first wife, who was a daughter of James Rose, attend to his business. For a short period he 
left him seven children, all of whom grew to acted as a clerk in a grocery store, and was then 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. .-^Ol 

appointtnl as clerk and baggageman for the X. children, Ohvia M. and I'anl I'..; Hannah Rose, 
C. & P.. \allcy R. R. now known as the E. & P. born June 15. iS(w, married J. (i. Xothchirft of 
R. R., which position he held ten years, when his Xew Castle, and has one child, Hiram J.; Mary 
health forced him to resign and to seek rest for M., born June 3, 1867. married J. W. Reis, a dry 
a season. Subsequently he became agent for the goods merchant of Xew Castle and has two chil- 
X. C. & !•'. R. R.. and continued in that service dren, Lillian ,\I. and Wilbur \V. : Harriet ller- 
five years, when his health again became poor, sey, born June 18, 1870, graduated fn)ni the fe- 
and he was compelled to relinquish the position, male seminary at Washington, D. C, in the nut- 
He has since lived a quiet, retired life. For a sical course, and is now employed as an instruc- 
iiome he bought the P. K. Sedvvick estate at Xo. tor in her special line; William Gray, born Dec. 
63 Milton Avenue, and has made it a very pleas- 25. 1873, a student of the Baltimore College of 
ant place of residence. Physicians and Surgeons, is the resident physi- 
Sept. 5, 1855, he married Sarali ( )livia Mor- cian of the Shenango \'alley Hospital. Mr. Mil- 
ton, daughter of William and Hannah (Sleni- ler is a .stanch Republican, and has served as 
mons) Morton. Mr. Morton was a well-to-do auditor of the county and as a member of the 
and generally popular farmer of Perry township, city council. He is a member of the local (i. A. 
Pa.; he was a justice of the peace many years. R. Post, and belongs to the IVesbyterian 
represented the town in tlie Legislature, anil Church, 
held other town offices of responsibility and 
honor, dying at the age of sixty-seven in 1851. 

His wife lived to be seventy years old. Their WILLIS J. McKlXLEY, a conductor on the 
children were: Margaret, the wife of James Wil- Pennsylvania R. R., residing at Xo. 351 W'est 
son; Robert S.. a Presbyterian minister; Joseph Washington Street, X'ew Castle, was born near 
W., also a Presbyterian minister; Tirza F., the tliat city. May I, 1853. and is a son of .\le.\ander 
wife of M. Curry, taught for a long time in the and Elizabeth (Morehead) McKinley, the latter 
High School; William was a farmer; Hannah a daughter of James Morehead. .Alexander Mc- 
was a teacher; Mary J., also a teacher, married Kinley, a native of Mt. Jackson, lieaver Co.. Pa.. 
W. IX P.utler; Sarah ()., our subject's wife, was born March 22, 1822, and died June 14, 
taught school even after her marriage; Philo S. 1896, at the home of his son, Willis J. McKinley. 
was a teacher; Samuel was a Presbyterian min- after suffering ten years as an invalid from a 
ister. There were born to our subject and his stroke of paralysis. During the active years of 
wife the following children: Horace G., a dealer liis life he followed tiie shoemakerV trade, work- 
in cigars and tobacco and manager of the W^est- ing at various times at Moravia and at Struthers, 
ern Union Telegraph Co. in Xew Castle, whose Ohio; but the greater part of his life was spent 
sketch appears in full on another page of this in his native borough. He was a Republican in 
work; Ella K.. born April 11. 1858, married L his political views, and during the war served 
P.. Griffith, a grocer of Xew Castle, and has two in the I'nion .Army for a short term -of service. 



392 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

His father, James McKinley, was born to the During the years from 1873 to 1880 Mr. Mc- 

eastward of the mountains, and immigrated to Kinley was located in Youngstown, Ohio, at 

Beaver County very early in the century with a which place he was married Dec. 12, 1875, to 

large family of brothers and sisters, some eight Miss Sarah McDonald, a daughter of David Mc- 

or ten in all, part of whom remained in Penn- Donald. In his wedded life, Mr. McKinley has 

sylvania, and part of whom moved farther west gathered about him six children, who are as fol- 

to the region of Stark County, in which county lows: Edward; Clara; George, deceased; Roy, 

is situated Canton, the home of President Will- deceased; Bessie; and Howard, deceased. (Jur 

iam McKinley. ( )f liis first marriage three cliil- subject and his very po]iular wife are meml)ers 

dren were born: (ieorge H., whose life may be of the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. McKin- 

sketched on another page; Willis J., our sub- ley is a member of the Order of Railway Con- 

ject; and Elizal)eth, now living in New Wilming- ductors, New Castle Division, No. 326. In his 

ton, Lawrence Co., Pa. His second marriage politics, he is liberal, with marked leanings 

with Elizal)eth Houston resulted in three more toward the old Jeffersonian Democracy, 
children: John C. of New lirigliton. Pa.; Hugh 
of Ashtabula Harl:)or, Ohio; and Margaret, the 



children were born of his third marriage. 

Willis J. McKinley was reared in Lawrence MRS. MARY M. P.LIM, widow of the late 
County, attending the public schools till he John S. Plim, who was one of the largest con- 
reached the age of fifteen years. At the age of tractors and builders of New Castle, is a 
three years he was left without a mother's ten- daughter of Eilward and Emeline (Russell) Law- 
der care b\ Iier untimely decease, and when he pence, being christened Mary Al. Her father 
was six or seven years of age, his father gave up served in the federal ranks in the late rebelHon, 
housekeeping, and Willis from that time made his and died at the age of sixty-seven. His wife is 
own way. He lived and labored on the farm still living at Croton, Pa., aged seventy-one 
until his nineteenth year, when he secured a posi- years. Their children were: John; Mary M., 
tion in a rolling mill, where he worked for one our subject; Harry; Albert; and Laura, 
year. Immediately after this, in the spring of j,,ii,i s. Pdim was born in Columbiana Co., 
1872, he became a brakeman on the Pennsyl- ( )hio. Jan. 4, 1845, ^i"'' «as a son of Jacob and 
vania railroad, and for seven years was employed Susan (Stiver;) P.lim, who were leading farmers 
in that highly dangerous occupation, and was of C.ilumbiana County. Jacob Blim served in the 
then given a freight train, which he held four Civil War in Co. A, 125th Reg. O. V. I., and 
years, being then i)romoted to the more import- ,Hed at Jefifersonville, (Ind.) Hospital, October, 
ant position of passenger conductor in 1883, and 1864; his father served in the Napoleonic War. 
has tilled that position with credit and with a C)ur suliject's husband learned the stone- 
large degree of efficiency ever since. mason's trade, and came to New Castle where. 




MR. AND MRS. ANDREW C. COLE. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHII-.S, LAWRENCE COUNTY. .-'.Oo 

with Rohtrt Allen, Ik- engaged in contracting tion of his term of service June 5. 1865. At his 
and Iniilding, and later was associated with death, he was a member of Encampment Xo. y. 
Tames A. Carpenter. From the time he first U. \'. L., and was a member of the relief com- 
came to Xew Castle in 1872, until his death he mittce. On April I, 1873. he was married to our 
remained a resident of his adopted honK>: he subject, and to them were born three children, 
built a home on Walnut Street, where his widow as follows: Wellington, born I'eb. 12, 1874. has 
now resides. He was widely known as a skilful succeeded his father in the firm of Ulim & Car- 
workman, and as schooled in all the details of the penter, builders and contractors: Lauretta, born 
contractor's business; among the mmiber of Oct. 31, 1870, lives with her mother; John (i., 
Ijublic buildings, which show off his work to the was born l'\'b. 22, 1890. Mr. I'.lim's iulluence 
best advantage, are the 'S'. M. C A. I'.uilding, was at all times cast in what he considered the 
Hiram. Ohio; the Hospital; I'irst Tresbyterian best interests of the community. His well-de- 
Church on Jefiferson Street: Presbyterian Church served success in life was what might have been 
on Pittsburg Avenue; the West Side School; the expected from a man who combined an unusual 
Oak Street School, and was building the amount of energy with a certain amount of con- 
Highland Avenue School when he was in- servativeness, that never led him to indulge in 
stantly killed by a fall of the derrick, excesses or in untried projects. He was a hard 
March >y. 1896. He was a member of the worker in legitimate channels, and <leserve<l, if 
I'nitcd Workmen, and of the G. A. R. Post. ^'v<-T man did, the high respect which was almost 
He enlisted in the cause ofthc Union Aug. 11. universally accorded to him. 
1862, at (ireenford, Mahoning Co., Pa., a volun- 
teer in Co. A, 125th Reg. O. \'. T., l-irst Brigade. 
First Division of the I'ourth .Army Corps, and 
participated in the battle of Chickamauga, and 

was present at all the engagements of the Allan- AXDKJAV C. COLE. It is a ])U;isant thing 

tic campaign from Pine Mountain to Lovcjoy to be able to trace one's family record through 

Station and at i'"ranklin and X'ashville. On Sept. long years of change and struggle, and it is 

l(j, l8r)2, at Chickamauga. .Mr. I'.lim received a doubly pKasant when this reciird jjresents tlie 

gunshot womid in the left shoulder, and was lives of honest men and good women. Some of 

sent to receive surgical aid at the Xashville Hos- tiie old families of Pennsylvania go back easily 

pital, and thence to Covington. Ky., where he to events in the middle of the last century, thus 

remained imdcr treatment seven months, and connecting the i)ast with the present, and inak- 

then was furloughccl in I'cbruarv, 1864. After ing our Republic seem young indeed when com- 

twent\ (lavs he rejoined his company at I'ine pared with the ( )ld World governments that 

Mountain, Ga., Tune 5, 1864, and was on detailed have existed for centuries. One of the oldest 

duty for a short time at Camp Xelson as ]jrison families in T.awrence County, whose history is 

guard, and was finally discharged at the expira- closely interwoven with the histor_\- of the coun- 



■Sm BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

ty. is the Cole family, and among its more prom- A. Thurman and Kittie Marie were born Jan. 29, 
inent members is the subject of this sketch, An- 1879, and Nov. 16, 1881, respectively, 
drew C. Cole, who is one of the leading business On April i, 1893, the firm of Cole Brothers, 
men and citizens of Elhvod City. which comprised the three younger sons of our 
Living in easy circumstances, surroimded liy a subject, Thomas, Karl, and Thurman, went 
bright and popular family, Mr. Cole has reached into mercantile business at Hazel Dell; 
the point when he can take life as it comes, with- being men of pleasing address and excellent 
out a thought of the morrow's toil. Mrs. Cole is business methods, they soon built up a lucra- 
qualified in every respect to be the head of a tive trade. Their family standing and connec- 
household, for besides being versed in the wom- tions stood them in good stead: but nothing 
anly arts pertaining to housekeeping, she has could ward off danger and loss incurred, when 
evinced some literary taste; she has been an in- fire threatened to sweep the village out of c.xist- 
teresting contributor to newspapers, her writing ence. Deciding to change their location, the 
showing a refined and discriminating touch. "Mr. brothers removed to Ellwood Citv, took posses- 
and Mrs. Cole have a promising famih-. the sion of the store in the C. F. Eldridge 
members of which are reflecting honor on their TUock, and again embarked in the world 
parents and credit on their bringing-up. Will- of trade, confining their efforts to dealing 
iam TTaniilton Cole, burn June 4, 1863. is a resi- in groceries and ])ri ivisions. V^\■ attending 
dent of TTazel Dell; he married Theresa Tillia. strictly ti) business and being straightforward 
and they have three children: Clara K., John H., and trustworthy in every respect, the Ciile 
and Frank. John Witherow, who was born Dec. firm has made an enviable reputation, and 
iS, 1865, lived througli a pleasant vouth to jiass established a pa\ing business, 
away from life's scenes, Dec. g, 1885. Frank In regard to l\rr. Cole's personal historv, he 
Fdward, who was born March t8. 1868. lias fol- was born April 26. 1840. There is an odd coin- 
Inwcd agricultiu-al pursuits, and is living on the cidence of little moment, ^et interesting of it- 
home farm ; he married Fstella Parker, and they self, in tlie fact that ^Tr. Cole's earlier life was 
have a son. Andrew J. Twins came to the home spent in the same luanner as was his father's bc- 
Nov. 12, 1870. they were girls and were named fore him; each was the voungest son, and each 
TJzzie Suella and Jennie Izora; the former fulfilled the duty that devolved upon him to 
became the wife of Harry !\TcGowan, and went stay at home and care for his parents in their de- 
to live in Carnegie, Pa., where she has had one dining years. To carrv the siniilarifv to com- 
child, Harrison K.; the latter married William pletion, each one inherited the homestead, and 
r)Uguo of Hazel Dell, and they have two daugh- made it a happy, busy home. Year after year 
ters, Eleanor and Catherine E. Thomas James the sowing and reaping have gone on, and liar- 
was born April 9, 1873. and married Elizabeth J. vest succeeding harvest has rewarded the toil of 
Hamilton. Karl Hayes was born Xov. 15, 1875, the workers. The place has been graduallv inl- 
and passed over the river of death Aug. 24, 1896. proved and has lost none of its virgin fertility, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. nOT 

so tliat aside from keeping the land in the pes- settled in Lawrence CDuntx. and soon hecanie 
session of the family. Mr. Cole has the further well liked there; for some time tiiey kept a hotel 
incentive of deriving a goodly revenue from it. at Bridgewater, removing thence to Hazel Dell. 
( )ur subject was postmaster at Hazel Dell, being where Mr. Marshall had the distinction of being 
the immediate successor of his father-in-law, the first postmaster in 1S72. lie lived to nuni- 
John ir. Marshall. That Mr. Cole was popular her seventy-seven years, while his wife attained 
and cflficient in that position goes almost with- the age of sixt\-nine. Their children grew to be 
out saving, for at the end of nine years service, sol)er, industrious citizens of the kind highly 
only a slight change was made: the commission prized in every community: their names were: 
bore the name of Mrs. Cole, and the office still Marguerite: Thomas J.: Rebecca ].: Mary K. ; 
continued in their care for five more years. William 1'.: Enoch II.: Deomides: Izora: Love- 
That, however, is only one instance of the ga; John I-".: and Florence. 

esteem cherished for the Coles: many others Andrew C. Cole was a son of .\braham and 
might be mentioned, showing fully as well their Elizabeth f.Smith) Cole, the former a native of 
position. A\'ayne townshi]). Lawrence Co.. I'a.: and the 
As he has been otherwise occupied, Mr, Cole latter of East Liverpool, Ohio. Tlu\ were (|uiet, 
saw fit to place his son, Frank Edward, in charge farming people, little inclined to leave liome, and 
of the homestead, while he, himself, devoted his spent the greater part of their lives on the Cole 
time and attention to other matters. Our sub- homestead. Years were marked by events of 
ject is a man of strong constitution, who has especial interest, the birth of the children. Mary 
seen good, hard work in Iiis daw and is now en- J. was born Dec. 15. 1S23: F.jizabeth, .*^ept. 2-^. 
joying the fruits thereof. His life has been too '1S30: John S., Oct. 5, 1833: Daniel, May 8, 1836: 
busy to allow him to be a rolling stone, nor in Charlotte, Dec. 11, 18.^^: .\ndrew C, the subject 
our subject's prosperity is there cause for regret- of this sketch, .\pril 26, 1840: and .Margaret I., 
ting his (|uiet life. ' April 23, 1843. The grandparents of our sub- 
In his life as a citizen, Mr. Cole has followed ject weri' Isaac and b'iizabeth (l)e])ew) Cole, 
the teachings of the I\e])ul)lican party, not only Tliey were |)ioneers of tlu' earl\- day. settling in 
because that i)arly was in i)ower for years, but Lawrence Count\ when it was a wilderness tliat 
l)ecausc his intellectual ])ercc])tions told him that gave no evidence of ever having been trodden 
those principles were logical and true. lie has by the foot of man before their a])])earance. 
been active in educational affairs, always display- Their efforts were not destined to go unreward- 
ing a laudable zeal to make the public school ed. and their 150 acres ])roved to be very desir- 
what it ought to be. able land, when cleared. \"arious improvements 
Andrew C. Cole was united in marriage to were made by each succeeding owner, and the 
Mary E. Marshall on July 24, 1862. ^Irs. Cole's present proprietor saw a chance to dispose of a 
parents, John TI. and Susan S. (Marshall) IMar- portion of it at a good return, so he laid out 
shall, were natives of W'ashington Co., Pa. They thirty acres in building lots, thus making an ad- 



398 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



dition to Hazel Dell. The farm-house dates from GEORGE HARVEY WILSOX. As a rep- 
1879, and the barn was built in 1889. Isaac Cole resentative of the agricultural class, and as one 
was born Dec. 5, 1776, and his marriage oc- who has met with more than ordinary success in 
curred Nov. 13. 1793. His wife succumbed to the prosecution of his independent calling, we 
the fatal inroads of disease and died Feb. 10, take pleasure in mentioning the name of the gen- 
1803, when thirty-one years of age, leaving three tleman whose biography we write. He 'is pleas- 
children motherless, as follows: Andrew, who antly located on his fine and productive farm in 
was born Feb. 2, 1795; Daniel. June 30, 1797: Wayne township, where he is engaged in gener- 
and Abraham, May i, 1800. The father did as al agricultural operations, and in raising some 
well as he knew how in bringing up his children, of the best-appearing horses in the county. The 



and in providing them with a Christian home. 
On March 22, 1808, he re-married, his second 
wife being Jane Lytle. Isaac Cole was finally 
laid to rest after a long and singularly useful life, 
Feb. 27. 1857. 

There is one more point in coiuiection with 
the family history of the Coles that needs to be 
brought out: Isaac Cole, the grandfather of our 
subject, was a Presbyterian elder, and so faith- 
fully did he admonish and train his children that 
they followed closely in his footsteps, and in 
turn led their children to believe and practice the 
rules of life, as lai<l down h\ the Presbvterian 



father of our sul)ject was John I. and the mother 
Elizabeth (Munnell) Wilson, his grandparents 
were James and Eletha (Patterson) Wilson, and 
his great-grandfather was David Wilson. The 
latter was a man of Scottish birth, who settled 
near Baltimore, Md., and later on removed to 
Allegheny Co., Pa., where his life closed. James 
Wilson, his son, moved from Allegheny County 
to Lawrence County about 1797, and bought a 
two hundred acre tract from Mr. Holstein, who 
had made a settlement in Wayne township. Mr. 
Wilson worked at clearing this property and in 
making it ready for the bountiful harvests it was 



Church: not that the sect makes the difference, made to produce. He was a miller by trade. He 



Init the Christian life, one generation after an- 
other, shows what nobility may be in plain, 
every-day lives. Mr. and Mrs. Cole have many 
friends to hope that happiness and peace may 
crown their days, and that prosperity may con- 
tinue to attend them. In this connection it is 
but appropriate, since our subject and his ex- 
cellent wife have such a wide acquaintance, that 
their portraits appear in conjunction with this 
sketch, and it is a pleasure to us to announce 
that very good likenesses from photographs re- 
cently taken may be found on a page in prox- 
imitv. 



came to his death by accident, for a tree fell on 
him when he was at work in the clearing; ihc was 
the first man buried in Slippery Rock Cemetery. 
John I. Wilson, our subject's father, was born 
on the farm in February, 1803, and as he grew to 
nianhoijd he was able to repay his mother for 
her years of lal)or and self-sacrifice in caring for 
him after his father's decease by giving her the 
best of care in her declining years, providing all 
the comforts of home for her until her death in 
1835. He inherited the homestead, and when 
still a young man evinced a desire to speculate 
in real estate, and continually Iiought and sold 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 399 

lanil. In connection with his career as a dealer son llros., and to tliis work he devotes a large 

in landed property, he had the unique record of portion of his time. 

having lived in thirty-five different houses in his Mr. Wilson took for his wife Amelia Palen, 
life, and during all that period never lived more whcjse father was August I'alen of Wayne town- 
than a mile from his birth-place. He was a man ship, and tliey have rejoiced over the births of 
of sound sense and good judgment, and was four children, as follows: llarrv, born Xov. 5, 
often called upon for advice and counsel. At his 1882; Charles E., April 11. 1S84: Herman L., 
death in 1885, Mr. Wilson had accunndated con- Oct. 20, 1886; and l-'rank I., Oct. 14, 1888. Mr. 
siderable property, and was a very large land- Wilson affiliates with the Republican party, and 
owner. Mrs. Wilson, who was a daughter of is now tow'nship clerk. In matters of religious 
James and Elizabeth Munnell, died in 1895 at interest, the members of the family are IVcsby- 
the advanced age of eighty-three years. The terians. Mr. Wilson can take a just pride in the 
Wilsons were devout I'resbyterians, and brought consciousness of having contrilnited his full share 
up their children in that faith. The household toward the development i>f his county and town- 
was constituted as follows: Sarah; Jane; I'.liza- ship. He is an intelligent man, well read and 
beth; James; Eli; William A.; Ella A.; an "infant well informed, and takes a keen interest in local 
son, deceasetl; John P.; Johnson A.; David W.; and general matters. 
Louisa J.; Cecelia 1".; lliram A. and Harriet S., 

twins; and Ceorge Harvey. — . ^ » — 

The subject of this writing grew to man's es- 
tate in Wayne township, and made his first pur- S\'L\ ESTER M. ^'OL'XG, now retired from 
chase of land when he bought his father's home- active business life, who was for many years a 
stead of eighty-three acres, which was slightly member of the firm of .'~^. .M. Young & Son, i)ro- 
improved. l!y the use of brawn and brains and prietors of one of the oldest, most reliable, and 
by the sweat of his brow he placed his farm licst-known grocery stores in the city of New 
among the finest in the county, and it is now Castle, I'a., was born in \\'est Liberty, Butler 
second to none. Besides keejMng a small choice Co., Pa., March 24. 1832, and is a son of Mat- 
dairy, Mr. Wilson has raised some standard Per- thew and Joanna (Coovertt ) Young, and grand- 
cheron horses, and to-day Mr. Wilson holds the son of Matthew Young, Sr., who was born in 
reins over the best team in the county. He has Ireland, and coming to America when a young 
remodeled his buildings, and, in addition to car- man met and qiarried a Miss Wilkinson of Pitts- 
rying on general farming as a main pursuit, has burg, who was of Scotch-Irish descent. They 
been associated with L. L. and I. J. \\'ilson. mi- bought a farm, tlien in the wilderness and un- 
der the firm name of Wilson Bros. & Co., in op- touched by the hand of civilized man, situated 
erating the Duck Run Quarry, and also the in Slii)])ery Rock township, Lawrence Co., where 
(|narry at Rock Point in Beaver Comity. Latter- they built a log-house, and started in to grow 
1\' lie has sup(.'rintendeil a stone quarry for Wil- up with the country and wrest a livelihood from 



400 BOOK OF BIOCrRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

the virgin soil. ( )ur suljject's graiKlfather old enough to go that far he was needed at home 
cleared a farm of alx.nit 200 aeres, which is now on the farm, clearing and improving the land, 
owned by his grandson Samuel. Later in life, When he arrived at manhooil he studied and 
when success in his agricultural pursuits had educated himself, supplementing his district 
beamed upon him, he built a frame dwelling, and school education, and at the age of twentv-two 
was known as a progressive, wide-awake man, years came to New Castle and clerked eight 
wlio could be depended upon to keep abreast of years for Coffin & Phillips in their grocerv store, 
the times. Fourteen children were born to him. In 1862 in company with T. B. Bitner, under the 
His son Matthew, our subject's father, was firm name of Young & Bitner, he bought out 
born on the homesteail, which was then in Bea- the grocery of George V. Boyles, located near 
ver County, now a jiart of Lawrence County, where Brown & Hamilton have their store at the 
and learned the harness-maker's, the shoeniak- time of this writing. He continued in such lines 
er's, and the tanner's trades. He bought a farm until his health showed signs of failing, because 
in Slippery Rock township, and at first building of the confining nature of his work, and he was 
a log-cabin, as soon as he was able he erected a obliged to seek rest and a change of employ- 
fine set of rame l.niildings and a tannery, and ment. He then rejiresented a Philadelphia 
carried on tanning, harness-, saddle-, and shoe- wdiolesale house as its traveling agent for quite a 
making. He died in his fortv-eighth \ear from length of time. He next started in business 
an acute attack of cholera morbus. His wife alone where R. Kno.x is located now, and re- 
passed away in her eighty-second year; she was mained there until 1S94, when he moved into 
a daughter of Col. John Coovertt, who was a the \Voods Block. In 1875, our subject's son, 
colonel of state militia, and served in the ^\'ar lieriah I'., became associated with our sul;)ject, 
of 1812; Col. Coovertt was tanner and harness- under the firm name of S. ^I. Young & Co., and 
and shoemaker by trade. The union of our sub- for many years in connection with a general gro- 
ject's parents was blessed with the following chil- eery business they did a large business in deal- 
dren: Sylvester M.; Canjline; Matilda; Aman- ing in produce, shipping apples, potatoes and 
da; Sarah Jane; Samantha; ]\larcus; and Will- other garden and farm produce to lioston and 
iam H. ( )ur subject's father, while a Whig, had Philadelphia; they were also the largest wool 
strong anti-slavery sympathies, and actively dealers in the county. In 1890, Mr. Young's 
identified himself with the Abolitionists, doing son, John, bought out his brother Beriah V., 
valuable service as an agent of the L^nderground and the firm as then constituted easily took the 
Railroad in rescuing many a poor black slave lead in tluir special line of conmiercial activity, 
from liondage and from the lash. In his relig- In 1897, Mr. Young, because of business depres- 
ious views he was a Presbyterian. sion, retired from business, making an assign- 
Sylvester M. Young had very little chance to ment of his interests to his sons, B. U. Young 
attend school when he was a boy, for it was four & Co., who still carry on the business, and keep 
miles to the school-house, and when he Ijccame up the reputation of the firm for superior goods, 




ELISHA ELBRIDGE CASWELL^ 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 403 

and careful consideration of the wants of tiic cus- tiiis country I'roni StafTordshirc, England, and 
tonier. In 1875, •^l''- Young built a comfortable after his arrival in tlie I'nited States first worked 
and well-appointed home on Butler Avenue, at Haverstraw, \. Y., but went from there be- 
where he has lived since. fore the war to Richmond, \'a.. where connncn- 

Our subject married Miss Martha J. Scott, cing as a heater and roller in an iron furnace he 

daughter of John Scott, and has eight children, rose by industry and superior ability to the posi- 

all of whom are living and occupying good busi- tion of superintendent of the iron works, and 

ness positions. They are as follows: lieriah U. ; became a man of means. He lived to a good old 

Margaret J.; William, an attorney of Kansas age, and died in the South. Our subject's father 

City, Mo.; Sylvester W., a Presbyterian minis- was born in the State of Massachusetts, where 

ter of Ellsworth, (!)hio: Edith li.. who married for a number of years in his youth he worked as 

Pnjf. A. Li. .Morton of Ingrahani, Pa.: John S., a bookkeeper. He afterwards learned the trade 

junior member of the firm S. M. Young & Son; of a nail-maker, and became foreman in the 

Lewis M., connected with a commercial supply ])ago"s Xail Works at Belle Isle, Richmond, \ a. 

house of BufTalo, N. Y.; and Harry, a clerk in He built a mill at Manakin, Va., which he lost 

the firm's store. Mr. Young is an uncomprom- by fire with the savings of many years. He re- 

ising Republican, and has served seven years in turned to Belle Isle after this financial reverse, 

the city coinicil. .\s to his church membership, and departed this life there in 1S52. 

he is a pronnnent figure in the Presbyterian Elisha E. Caswell was reared in the city of 

Church. He is a member of the Royal Teni- Richmond, \'a., and secured an education in the 

plars. Protected Home Circle, and of the I. C^. O. private schools of that place, attending when- 

I-"., and has held office in all of these societies. ever oportunity ofTercd. At the age of nine 

years he began work in the nail mill, and for 

^-^.^^-m. four years was thus employed, and also selling 

])apers in the Confederate .\rmy. In 186,^, he 

ELISHA ELBRIDGE CASWELL, the sub- made his way from the rebel capital to Balti- 

ject of this biography, whose portrait appears on more Md., and thence to Wilmington, Del., 

the opposite page, is a brick and stone contrac- where he worked for three years. In the spring 

tor of Xew Castle, where he has made his home of 1867, he came to New Castle, where he 

for the past tiiirty years, and where for over worked in the nail mill initil 1870, in which year 

twenty years he has been identified with the he started to learn the trade of a brick and stone 

building trades and industries. He was born in mason. Within a few years, with the enterprise 

Richmond, \'a., July 2, 1850, and is a son of and independence so characteristic of him, he 

Elisha and Anne (Moss) Caswell. worked as a journeyman and began contracting 

Our subject's mother was a daughter of for himself, in which he lias met with the most 

George and Bessie Moss. George Moss brought un(|ualihcd success. Many fine buildings and 

his familv, in which was his daughter Annie, to iiandsonie structures in Xew Castle and the vi- 



404 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LsAWRENCE COUNTY. 

cinity testih t.) liis skill, taste and careful work- R( )1!ERT PAISLEY ROl'.lXSON, a lead- 

inanship. This brief epitome of Mr. Caswell's ing citizen of New Castle, was born in Uniini 

life Ijrings out the manly (jualities of self-reliance tciwnship. Lawrence Co., July 5, 1832. and is a 

and perseverance, that have enabled him to ac- son of George and Jane (Paisley) Robinson, and 

complish what he has: his life has been a steatly grandson of George Robinson. Sr. The latter 

advance from the age of nine years when he set was .a shoemaker by trade, and plied that trade 

out to support himself till the present time, when in his younger days, but followed agricultural 

he occupies a recognized place in the connnunity ])ursuits the greater portion of his life. Our 

as one of its leading citizens. sui)ject's mother was born in Lancaster County. 

Mr. Caswell was married Nov. 6. i<S73. to and was a daughter of Robert Paisley, also a 
Emma A. Fisher, daughter of Henry and Cath- native of Lancaster County, and of Scotch-Irish 
erine (Cunmiings) Fisher, the latter a (.laughter descent. After coming to Lawrence County he 
of James and Sarah (Ilurge) Cummings. Henry bought a farm, and interested himself in agricul- 
Fisher. a brick contractor of Xew Castle, was a tural labors to good advantage, providing liber- 
son of Solomon and Polly (Stickle) Fisher, and ally in this way for his children, and being wide- 
grandson of George and Catherine (Haagerj ly respected as a representative farmer. In his 
Fisher; the father of George Fisher was a native politics, he was a Democrat of the old school. 
of Saxony, Germany. To Mr. Caswell and his In the Seceder Church, of which he was a de- 
wife had been given four children, as follows: voted and faithful member, he held the office of 
Henry (iuy: Bertha Althea: Emma Belle; and elder. 

Annie Ellen. ]Mrs. Caswell died April 23. 1897. * '■■"' subject's father was a citizen of L'nion 

Mr. Caswell is a member in good standing of the township at the time of his marriage. When his 

Disciples Church. In his political beliefs, he parents came to Lawrence County, the country 

sides with the Republican party. Mr. Caswell was still in its first stage of development: his 

is a friend of organized labor, and is a member mother's family crossed the mountains in what 

of the Pricklayers' International L'nion. Both was known farther west at a later date as a 

Mr. and Mrs. Caswell were members of the Pro- prairie schooner, the members of the family walk- 

tected'Home Circle, Xew Castle Lodge, No. 6. ing the most of the time, as that was much less 

He has a pleasant home on Spruce Street, where tiresome than riding in the rude conveyance, 

the family dispense their every-ready hospitality which was not provided with springs as are the 

with lavish hand. wagons of to-day. When they came to the 

( )n the outbreak of the Civil War. a brother of present site of Xew Castle, they found a clearing 

Mr. Caswell, who was at work in the Treadgear of no very great extent in the woods which cov- 

Iron ^^'orks at Richmond, was conscripted and ered mountains and vallevs, and in the clearing 

forced to serve in the militia company, formed there were less than a dozen houses, mostly l)uilt 

of the operatives of the works. At the first oji- of logs. George Robinson was a carpenter by 

portnnity he deserted, and came to the North. trade, and worked at it in New Castle and in the 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 405 

territory contigfiious. He was a Republican in Jistlier McOuisten, and wlio is employed in the 

politics, and a member of the Seceders Church. P. & W. R. R. freight office; Lizzie, deceased; 

He lived to be sixty years of age, dying about and Charles, deceased. Mrs. Robinson died Sept. 

the year 1H77. Two children were born to our 24, 1879, aged forty-seven years. ( )ur subject was 

subject's parents: Robert Paisley, and George, again married ( )ct. 12. 1893. to Louise ^I. Con- 

an insurance agent (jf the city of Pittsburg, Pa. nell, who was born in l-Vanklin County, and 

(ieorge Robinson's second marriage was with who is a daughter of William T. and Rebecca 

Jane P.est, but no children were added to the (Turner) Connell, the former a son of Edward 

family. * and Ruhama (Toddj Connell, and the latter a 

(Jur subject was reared in L'nion township, daughter of James and Xancy Turner. Mr. and 
and attended the schools of New Castle. When Mrs. Robinson are members of the Central Pres- 
sixteen years of age, he began to work in the bvterian Church, and interest themselves in all 
nail mill, and continued to be thus employed for the work of tliat organization. Mr. Robinson 
ten years. Then for three or four years he kept has been a member of the Royal Templars since 
a news and tobacco store in Xew Castle, which 1887. He is a Republican in politics, 
he at length disposed of and accepted a prof- 
fered position in the shoe department of one of ^^■^■^^ 

the largest stores in the city, where he remained 

some seven years. The two following years he ROBERT E. CAGE, a resident of Xew Cas- 

held a similar position in another establishment tie, is an extensive dealer in all kinds and grades 

in the city. l>y his long connection with the of coal, flag-stone paving, hearths and chinmey 

shoe trade, he lias thoroughly acquainted him- tops: his office and vards are at Xo. 164 South 

self with all matters considered to pertain in the Mill Street. He also conducts a grocery store 

least to that business, and has shown himself to at X'o. 301 South Mill Street. He is the eldest of 

be a very capable, efficient, and valuable clerk, six children born to his parents, John and 

for he is very popular, and has his circle of pat- Louisa (Buchanan) Cage: the latter our subject's 

rons who will buy of none but him. mother, was a daughter f)f James Buchanan, a 

Mr. Robinson was married Dec. 16, 1855, to native of England, who married a Miss Babcock, 

Jane Davis, daughter of Robert and Mary (Stew- who was born in \'ermont. John Cage was born 

art) Davis. The father of Mary Stewart was a in Pittsburg, March 18, 1817. a son of Robert 

native of Scotland. The following seven chil- Cage, who married a Miss Cowell; by occupation 

drcn w-ere born of our subject's first union : and choice of pursuits. John Cage was a farmer, 

Robert H., deceased ; George, deceased ; Mary and also a mill owner. 

Jane, wife of J. H. Douglas, whose biography Robert E. Cage was born in Crawford Coun- 

\ve have placed on another page; Annie, who ty. near Little Cooley. Dec. 31, 1849: he was 

married Joseph Harris, the proprietor of a meat reared in his native county, and attended the dis- 

market of X'ew Castle; William, who married trict school when opportunities were ofifered. 



406 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

when he was not laljoring on the farm or in the J( )HN PARKER, a gentleman in the prime 

oil region. He then learned the carpenter's of life and an enterprising citizen of Wayne 

trade, and supported himself at that vocation for township, actively engaged in doing custom and 

a nunil)er of years, and next became a specula- repair work in carriage ironing and in carrying 

tor in tools of various kinds, after which he kept on light farming, raising of small fruits, etc., on 

a hotel. In May, 1881, he came to Lawrence his farm near Hazel Dell, is of sturdy Irish paren- 

County, and for two vears thereafter was em- tage, springing from that race that has contrib- 

ployed as engineer for the Hope Furnace Co. uted so much to the prosperity and growth of 

In 1883, he took up his residence in New Cas- Western Pennsylvania. His existence began in 

tie, and worked as engineer for the railroad com- County Down, Ireland, on Aug. 25, 1845, as a 

pany, the glass works and others for a period of son of John and Agnes (Jackson) Parker. The 

three years, and then bought a confectionery father A\'as Scotch by birth, and in 1S5C; emi- 

store and conducted it with profit two years and grated to America with his family, his wife's fam- 

a half. Then he was interested in the livery ily having previously come to Allegheny Coun- 

business for the space of a year, and then after ty, where the Parkers stopped two years. In 

working a few months at his trade of a carpen- 1861, our subject's father brought the family to 

ter, in 1893, he went into the coal business, and Wavnc township, where he bought sixty acres 

has since taken to contracting and to supplying of the old Matheny farm from Mr. Fombelle. 

stone flagging, sewer pipe, hearths, and chim- The property was partially cleared and had a 

ney tops, making a specialty of the two last log-house on it, which he made the family home 

items. imtil his circumstances allowed him in 1877 to 

Mr. Cage was married, Feb. 25, 1878, at Edin- build a new home, the farm having been cleared 

burg. Pa., to Hattie B. Van Home, daughter of and made productive of a comfortable revenue. 

William and Alary A. (Moorehead) Van Home, When he decided to give up active labor, he rc- 

and six children have cemented this union: tired to Wampum, wdicre he resided up to the 

Myrtle Maude; Charles Milford; George And- time of his death, which occurred in ]\Iay, 1897. 

ley; Grace Emmett. deceased; Robert Henry; She was taken from him several years since, 

and Nahoma Marie. Mrs. Cage is a memlier of John Parker, Sr., was in many essential respects 

the Pjaptist Church, and a zealous laborer in re- a self-made man; he arrived in this country after 

ligious work. C^ur subject is a Republican in a journev of three weeks and two days on the 

his politics, and has served the city one year as sailing-vessel Constitution practically without 

street commissioner. He is a member of West- means. He made a home for his family of six 

em Star Lodge, Knights of Pythias, No. 160, children, who lived to reflect much honor on 

also of the Protected Home Circle, New Castle their name, the sons inheriting to a large degree 

Lodge, No. 5. He has been a member in years the energy, enterprise and perseverance of their 

past of the Junior Order of I'nited American father; one of the sons served in the late war as 

Mechanics, and also of the A. (J. U. W. a wearer of the loyal blue, and another is a 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 407 

United Presbyterian minister. He was respected while the younger children, (irace, Ralph B., 
and esteemed by his neighbors and the commu- Etha M. and Xellie R., remain at home and at- 
nitv at large, and possessed all those qualities tend the common schools of the neighborhood, 
wliich entitled him to be classed as an honest Mr. I'arker's farm has such an atlvantageous Io- 
nian and a good citizen. The children born to cation in respect to Hazel Dell, for he has found 
him were: John; William; Sarah; Samuel; Ag- a profitable sale for a part of his farm in build- 
nes; and James. The Parkers are adherents of ing lots. He is a faithful Republican, and has 
the United Presbyterian Church, and the father served two terms as school director, and two 
was a loyal Republican. terms as township auditor. The doctrines of 

After obtaining a rudimentary education. John the Presbyterian Church they accept as the 

Parker, Jr., sen-ed an apprenticeship at carriage grounds of their religious belief, 
ironing in Xoblcstown, Pa., and worked as a 
journeyman at his trade for fifteen years, much 
of the time serving as foreman in carriage manu- 
factories in Allegheny, McKeesport, and Steu- 

benville. In 1880 he invested his savings in his JOHN ?> LEVINS, city treasurer of Xew 
father's farm, when that gentleman retired from Castle, is a native of Ireland, that o])pressed de- 
active work, and erected a carriage repair pendency of the English Crown, which has fur- 
shop with the intention of doing custom work, nished so many sturdy, industrious citizens to 
and he has had plenty to do. In 1885, he built our country, whose presence has been especially 
a new house, and five years later still further im- felt in the growth and development of this sec- 
proved his property and increased the conven- tion of the State. He is a son of John and lUiza- 
ienccs by erecting a .spacious barn. As he de- zeth (.\nderson) Blevins; the mother passed 
votes time and land to the culture of small fruits, away in 1870, aged seventy-si.\ years, and the 
he has found a dairy profitable, also. father followed six years later at the same age. 

Mrs. Parker was formerly Sarah Robernian, John Blevins, Sr., emigrated to America in 1831, 
whose father was Henry Roberman of ^lorgan and after the first two months spent in Canada 
Co., Ohio. To our subject and wife ten children came to this State to that part of Mercer County 
have been given, of whom only John, the eldest, which was set off to make Lawrence Ctnmty; 
is deceased. Carrie married John Ilasslcr, a in what is now ^^'ashington township, he foimd 
telegrai)h O])erator of Ellwood City, and has two a cousin of his wife's named Anderson, and there 
children, John and Sarah; Howard assists in he bought a farm, and .set out to accjuire a com- 
the work about the home; Estella wedded E. E. fortable competence and rear his children de- 
Cole, and bore a son, Andrew J.; Harry is at- centlv. 

tending the State Normal School and pre])aring Till the age of seventeen years, our subject 

himself for the profession of a teacher; lUanche attended the country schools, where the whole 

is also attending the Ellwood High .School; vear's instruction never exceeded a three months' 



408 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

term in the winter. When seventeen years old, WALTER S. CRAWFORD, a retired loco- 
he came to New Castle, and learned the tailor's motive engineer, living at No. 105 Court Street, 
trade with T. D. Morgan, then in 1846 he went New Castle, also interested in a stone quarry 
to Mercer, and worked at his trade, and in the and in operating a farm, was born in the above 
spring of 1847 li^ came to New Castle again, and city I'eb. 27, 1835. He is a representative of one 
this city has since been his home. The first ten of the oldest families of New Castle, and is a 
years were spent at his trade, and then he em- descendant of one of the early settlers of James- 
barked into the grocery business, in which he town, Va., in the seventeenth cenutry. Our 
continued until 1875, i" which year he was elect- subject's father, David Crawford, was a son of 
ed county treasurer on the Republican ticket, David Crawford, Sr., who was descended from 
and served a full term of three years: he then be- one of five brothers, who came to Jamestown, 
came a clerk in a grocery store and was so occu- \a., in 1672. David Crawford, our subject's 
pied until 1884, when he was elected city treas- father, was born in the year 1798 in Westmore- 
urer, wdiich of^ce he has held continuously ever land County, wdien it was still a part of A'irginia, 
since. Mr. Blevins has been an active supporter and when he was two years old was brought by 
of the Republican party ever since its birth and liis father with the rest of the family to Mercer 
inception in 1856. County, where he lived until he became of age. 
Mr. Blevins was joined in the marriage bund Plis father took up a farm of 1,600 acres at 
with Ruth J. Thorne on Jan. 3, in Washington: Wheatland on a soldier's land warrant, he having 
the bride was a daughter of Smith and Mary served in the Revolutionary War; later in life he 
(Stewart) Thorne, and a granddaughter of James moved to Newark, ( )hio, where he died of par- 
and Ruth (McLean) Thorne. James Thorne alysis at the advanced age of ninety-two }^ears. 
was a soldier on the side of the I'nion in the War He was a relative of the famous Col. William 
of 1812. Our subject is one of three children, Crawford, who was killed by the Indians. Our 
James, a resident of Washington township, and subject's father learned the printer's trade, and 
Elizal)eth, wife of R. C. Rice, being the others: published the Western Press of Mercer County 
four children born to his parents are deceased. for many vears. In 1827, he came to New Cas- 
To our subject and his much-esteemed wife have tie, and established the Register, wdiich was for 
been given six children, the three of whom that many years the leading paper of the city, and 
now live are: Mary Elizabeth; John Smith, who identified with all the business and financial in- 
married Mary Gantz, a daughter of the well- terests. Our subject still has in his possession, 
known Prof. Gantz; and William James. Mr. as articles of some little interest to him at least, 
and Mrs. lUevins are devout members of the the press, wdiich is of the old I-'ranklin tvpe, the 
Cnited Presbyterian Church. ]\lr. Blevins has composing stone, and screw. These articles 
with credit established and sustained a splendid were all of the most primitive kind. He pur- 
record through many years of public service as chased forty acres in the city on the east side of 
an honest and capable servant of the people. the Neshannock Creek, and continued farming 




ALEXANDER THOMSON. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. -til 

on this tract until his death, Aug. 31, 1874. The lowed railroading as engineer on tlie line road 

land on which the Lawrence County Court for a number of years, but is now retired from 

House was built was donated by him. When he active work in that vocation, and operates a 

first came to New Castle, and decided upon lo- farm and stone quarry. 

eating there, only about a dozen houses were Mr. Crawford was married in Burlington, la.. 

where hundreds upon hundreds are now. He to Mary !•:. Hill, a native of Chilicothe, Ohio, 

was a drummer-boy in the War of 1812. He and a daughter of Francis and Xancy (Hukill) 

married Rebbeca Hosack, daughter of Col. Hill, both of Fayette Co., Ohio. One child. Will- 

Tliomas and Mary (Fwing) Hosack, the latter iani l->ancis, was born to our subject, but he is 

a daughter of Col, lowing of Hollidayslnirg. Pa. since deceased. Mrs. Crawford was taken to 

Col. Thomas Hosack conmianded a regiment at her home on higli .\\m\ 13. 1896. Mr. Crawford 

Fort Crawford on Lake Erie in the War of 1812: is an active member of the M. E. Church, as was 

the regiment returned home in the winter on also his wife during Iier life. Mr. Crawford was 

sleds. To our subject's parents were born the married again Aug. 17. 1897, to Mrs. Hannah Ci. 

six following children: Matilda, deceased; La- Dice. He is a stanch Republican, and a zealous 

fayette, deceased; Emeline, deceased: Wa-lter S., supporter of the party, and has served two years 

our subject; Arabella: and Florence. in the common council. 

L'ntil he was fifteen years of age, our subject 
attended the subscription schools and academy 
of his native place, and then went West, first 
visiting Toledo, Ohio, then looking over Chi- 
cago, Ills., finally locating himself at lUirlington. MRS. JANE DOR.-\X. Numbered among the 
Iowa, where he learned the printer's trade, and oldest residents of the county, and as an honored 
worked two years on the force of tlie Cazette, resident of New Bedford, Pulaski township, the 
the Telegraph, and the Hawkeye. He next spent esteemed lady, whose name heads this sketcli, 
three summers in rafting, and in the winters fol- is widely known in a wide circle of ac(|uaintances 
lowed steamboating on the lower river. He as the widow of the late Jeremiah Doran. Mrs. 
learned how to run an engine — in short picked Doran was born Marcli 10, 1816. and was a 
up a little knowledge here and a little there, and daughter of Capt. Alex, and Rebecca (Smith) 
after a little practice was skilled engineer, and Thomson. Roljert Thomson, the grandfather of 
followed tliis occupation on the packets until the our subject, was a native of Lancaster County, 
spring of 1862. In that year he crossed the con- where he followed agricultural pursuits, always 
tinent, and followed agricultural pursuits in Ore- earning his subsistence by the cultivation of the 
gon for six years. On Sept. 16, 1868, he re-en- soil. He also owned a large estate in Washing- 
tered New Castle after an absence of about ton Co., Pa. His wife was -Sarah Robison, who 
eighteen years, and for the two years following was also born in Lancaster Co., Pa. They were 
his return was a grocery clerk. He then fol- ever faithful to the precepts of tlie Presbyterian 



412 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



Church, and brought up their children to walk 
in like paths. Their children were named: El- 
len (Allison); Polly ( AlcCollister) ; Sarah (Cloak- 
e_v): Thomas: Alexander, the father of Mrs. 
Doran: and Robert. Mr. Thomsdn ser\ed in the 
Revolutionary Armv, and acquitted himself very 
creditably, winning the notice of his superiors 
for his meritorious work, in his politics, he was 
a stalwart of the old Jetfersonian school. 

Capt. Alexander Thomson received the rudi- 
ments of an education in the common schools 
of his native place, and following in the footsteps 
of his father was a farmer all his davs. He was 
a captain in the \\'ar of 1812. In Pulaski town- 
sliip, where he early took up his residence and 
identified himself with the best interests of the 
town, he rose to be one of the foremost men and 
was considered A-ery well-to-do. His business 
instincts were well-developed, his judgment was 
at all times imerring and sure, thus atlmirabl}- 
ijualifying him tor a successful career. His com- 
panion in connubial felicity was Rebecca Smith, 
whose father, John Smith, lived in Washington 
Co., Pa. Eleven children found places under the 
parental roof. Robert, the first-born, married 
Jletsey AlcClain, and reared a family of seven: 
Albert A., John S., Sarah, William X., Rebecca 
J., Joseph, and Ira. Robert contracted a second 
marriage with ]\Iary Carnahan, and their chil- 
dren were: Lizzie, deceased, Thomas Ah, 
Achsah, and r)avid. The second child was Kath- 
crine, who married David AlcConah_\- of Alt. 
Jackson, and became the mother of Emily, Re- 
becca, Alexander, David, John, W'illiam X.. Isa- 
bella, Samuel, and Lizzie. The third child, John, 
espoused Eliza Young, and was blessed with 
these children: Almon, Robert M., Thomas, 



Mary A., and Jeremiah D. Sarah, the fourth 
child, is demised. Mary married John Shehy of 
C)hio, formerly of Pulaski township, who is now 
<leceased. His widow makes her home with her 
sister, the sid>ject of this personal histor\-. l"he 
sixth child, Rebecca, liecame the Hfe-companion 
of William .Sowash of Mercer Co., Pa., and has 
a family of four, James A.. William X., Alva, 
and Jennie. The seventh child of Alexander 
Thomson was Jane (Mrs. Doran), Avhose name 
heads this article; she espoused Jeremiah Doran, 
who was a soldier of the War of 181 2, being sta- 
tioned at Erie, I'a. After his honorable dismis- 
sal from the service, he engaged in agricultural 
pursuits in Pulaski townsliip, and became one of 
the solid men of that section. Mrs. Doran is 
now the worthy recipient of a pension, that the 
United States Gevernment grants her because 
of her husl)and's services. The eighth child of 
Capt. Alexander Thomson was also named Alex- 
ander; lie won for his helpmeet Margaret Carna- 
han of Pulaski township, and they had a family 
of five: David M., Artibella, Robert W., Joseph- 
ine R., and Katie, demised. The ninth child was 
Thomas R., who wedded Rebecca Smith of 
Smith's Ferry, in Beaver Co., Pa., and they had 
one daughter and one son, Maggie B. and Clau- 
<Hus K. The tenth and eleventh children were 
Milton and Andrew, Ijoth of whom are now' de- 
ceased. Religiously, the Thomson family have 
remained true to the Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
Thomson, the father of Mrs. Doran, helped to 
build the first Presb\terian Church in Xew Bed- 
ford, this county. 

Mrs. Doran and her sister, Mrs. Shehy, have 
never deviated from their expressed allegiance 
to the Presbvterian Church, and thev hold mem- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 41:; 

berships in the New Bedford Cluircli. These at the death of the father, the task of carrying 

ladies are worthy in every respect of the esteem on his work fell to the oldest son, John, 

in which they arc held, which is called forth by In time John Marshall became the owner of 

their admirable lives. There are many friends, 400 acres of land, and gave to each of his sons 

wh(j hoi)e tliat only kindness and peace may at- a good farm of large dimensions. He was a 

tend the Uidies all their days. A portrait of Mrs. stirring, hard working pioneer, and brought 

Doran's lirother, Alexander Thomson, accom- about all the increase in his wordly possessions 

panics the foregoing .sketch and may be found by his own efforts. He lived to the age of sev- 

in proximity. enty-tive, while his wife was seventy-eight when 

she was called to lay down her earthly burden 

.^^->. and enter into rest. Their children were: David 

C. ; John: Marvin; Margaret; and Hugh James. 
JOHN MARSHALL, one of the foremost Mr. Marshall during the War of 181 2 was a pri- 
men and progressive farmers of \\'ayne town- vate, stationed at Fort Erie, 
ship, Lawrence County, who is engaged very ex- David C. Marshall spent his boyhood and 
tensivelv in the raising of all kinds of fruit that youth at home in lieaver County, and on attain- 
grow in tliis clime, and in market-gardening, ing his majority l)ought the Roberson farm of 
was born .Aug. 15, 1840, on tlie farm wiiere he 104 acres in Wayne township, Lawrence Co., 
now makes his home and carries on his work. Pa., a great portion of which he cleared in the 
Our subject is a son of David C. and Margaret subsequent years of his occupancy. In 1857 he 
(Davidson) Marshall, grandson of John and built a home on it, and gradually instilled a spir- 
Elizabeth Marshall, and great-grandson of Hugh it of thrift and ])rosperity into the wliole place, 
and Hannah Marshall. adding extensive barns in 187,^ -Mr. Marshall 
Hugh Marshall, who was a native of northern has had large interests in sheep-raising, but of 
Ireland, emigrated from his native heath with late years has paid more attention to dairying 
his wife and children, and made their first stop- and to grain production. At the present time, 
ping-place in I'ittslnirg. whence Hugh Marshall because of the weight of his years, being in his 
in company with a Mr. Crawford set out for eighty-second year, he rents the farm, and is 
what is now I'ig lieaver township, 'j'hey made leading a life that is ])ractically retired. 
a small clearing, but were hindered by the Indi- ( Uir sul)ject's mother, Mrs. Margaret (David- 
ans to a great extent, and made little progress son) Marshall, whose father was a native of Ire- 
until William Penn made his memorable treaty land, was born in Heaver Co.. Pa., July i, 1816, 
with the Indians, and bought the territory from and passed away July 5, 1895. The children in 
them, thus establishing peace between the un- the ])arenlal family are as follows: Elizabeth 
tutored savage and the advance guards of civili- Jane, who has devoted herself to the care of her 
zation. There were four sons in this pioneer parents in their last years, antl who is now house- 
family, Jolni, Robert. Hugh, and William: and keeper for her fatlier; John, the subject of this 



4U BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

narrative; Sarah Margaret, who married I. T. ing. Mr. Marsliall has a clioice dairy that in- 
Spangler, and is imw deinised; Andrew, who chides Holstein and Jersey cows, the milk pro- 
dietl at the age of six; WiUiani HilHs, an account duct being shipped to Allegheny City, Pa. Mr. 
of whose life may be found on another page; Marshall used to raise sheep quite extensively. 
Mary M.; and Nanc)' Rachel, deceased. Orig- He is a man of means, active, progressive and 
inally, our suliject's father \vas a Whig, but since very popular among all classes. A Republican 
the war he has been faithful to the tenets and in politics, ]\Ir. Marshall has acted as school di- 
principles of the Rei)ul)lican party. He has rector for twelve vears, and also as overseer of 
held various offices of trust in the township, and the poor. The ]\Iarshalls have been Presbyter- 
is a strong, virile character. It is scarcely neces- ians for years. ()ur suliject's children are: 
sar}- to say that this upright man and good citi- Margaret E. ; David M.; and Alice and Willie 
zen is receiving his just reward in the apprecia- who were taken from their home by the hand of 
til m of his many friends and neighbors. death. Margaret E. Marshall was joined in mar- 
John Marshall's bo\hood was passed on the riage, Oct. 5, 1887, to A. P. Hazcn, a farmer of 
paternal estate, much as country l)oys usually Beaver County ; their household has been bright- 
pass those days, and he helped his father on the ened by the birth of a daughter, Mary J. David 
paternal estate until his marriage to Jane Cole, a M., who is a hardware dealer at Wampum, this 
daughter of Abraham Cole, a leading resident county, married, Mav 22, 1889, Genevieve Cun- 
of Ellwood City, Wayne township, whose per- ningham; four children are the fruit of this 
sonal history is recounted on another page in union: Lulu E. ; J. N. Harold; Emma R. ; and 
this volume. Mr. Marshall invested in the Orin Charles V. 
Newton farm of seventy-five acres, and soon 

after the wedding-day of Sept. 16, 1862, the ^^.m-^m. 

young people set about making a home. That 

ci.ntinued to be their residence until 1869, when CAPT. ABRAHAM C. GROVE. Conspicu- 
he bought the D. and C. Robison property of ous among the leading business men of Ellwood 
thirty acres adjoining his father's property. Mr. City, who have done much toward its develop- 
Marshall possessed the spirit cjf the age in regard ment, and who are closely identified with all of 
to making improvements, and was very particu- the leading interests, is the subject of this biog- 
lar in that respect. He built two new houses raphy, who is the senior mendjer of the firm of 
and l)arns, complete in all the modern appoint- A. C. Grove & Co., dealers in hardware, agricul- 
nu-nts, set out 100 fine apple trees, grafted fruit, tural implements, paints, oils, etc. He began his 
and to-day they are yielding a bountiful harvest life in New Lebanon, Mercer Co., and is a scion 
in return. He has fifty peach trees, besides pears, of a familw the members of which for three gen- 
plums, prunes, and various kinds of berries and erations back are Pennsylvanians. 
small fruits in al)undance; the most of his time Jacob Grove, our subject's great-grandfather, 
and land are thus devoted to his market-garden- came from a place near Philadelphia, and set- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 415 

tied in Montgomery County, where his son Ca])t. Grove began business along the lines of 

Abraham was born. Abraham moved to Center hardware and lumber. After the fire, Capt. 

County, where he farmed several years, and then (irovc built a two-story building, 100x44 feet, 

removed to Mercer County, where he became the first floor of which is divided into two stores, 

the owner of 100 acres of land that was entirely one of which he rents to a clothing firm, and 

in its natural state, unspoiled by the hand of the other is used by his own stock of hardware, 

man. The spot he cleared is now a part of New agricultural implements, paints, oils, glass, etc., 

Lebanon borough. lie passed his life in agricul- the business being carried on under the name o\ 

tural pursuits, and also served in the War of (irove & Co. Capt. Grove is interested in the 

1812 at Fort Erie, receiving an honorable dis- Ellwood Lumber County, and in the Gas Com- 

charge at the end of the struggle. He married pany, and has ever been included among the 

a Miss Mook, and they became the parents of first of those who labor to promote the interests 

these children: Elizabeth, Barbara, Jacob, of the city. 

Catherine, Mary, David, Hannah, and Rachel. Our subject selected for a helpmeet Mary 

Jacob Grove, the father of the Captain, was a Elizabeth Leach, daughter of James Leach of 

strong youth of eighteen years when the family New Lebanon, I'a. They have been blessed 

settled in Mercer Countv, and so he aided his with the births of si.x children, of whom Leon 

father in clearing the land, and putting it under \ . is a physician in Anandale, lUitler Co.; Net- 

the plow. He bought an adjacent tract of 100 tie became the wife of S. M. Matheny of Ellwood 

acres, and spent his life in its culture. His wife City; Clarence M. is associated with his father 

was Catherine \"an ^'oorhees, daughter of in business; Darwin C. has settled near Spokane. 

Ryneer \'an \'oorhees, and of the nine children Wash.; X'ictor 11. is also in liis father's employ; 

she bore him seven are living: Jay C, Mary E., and Leach A., who is a student in the Law De- 

Capt. Abraham C, Elizabeth, Sarah J., Jacob partment of the Michigan State I'niversity. 

T., Jonas B., Jeremiah M., and Zilphia C. Mrs. Capt. (Irove is a Republican, and has served 

Grove met her death in a distressing railroad on the school board of Ellwood City. He has 

accident at Polk, \'enango Co., Pa., when in her an honorable and worthy career as a soldier of 

sixty-second vear. the Cnion, as he enlisted in the fall of '61 for 

Captain Grove had the usual educational ad- three years in Co. 15,83rd Reg., Pa. \ol. Inf.: he 
vantages, and after a course in New^ Lebanon received a discharge in the spring of 1862 on 
Academy entered into mercantile life in 1867. by account of disabilities. In the same autuimi he 
purchasing the store of McHenry & Son. He re-enlisted in Co. B, 140th Reg. as second lieu- 
was successful in this venture, and kept that tenant, and when the company was re-organized 
store until 1891, when he sold it to M. E. Dean, he was promoted to the first lieutenantey, where 
and came to Ellwood City. In company with he served until June 5, 1864, when he was com- 
H. S. Blatt, who has been referred to in another missioned captain. His resignation, March i, 
sketch as a hardware dealer of Ellwood City, 1865, was necessitated l)y a wound in the thigh. 



41 (> 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



from the effects of wliich lie has never recovered. mill hnnil of the same city; Susan, the wife of 

It is a s'reat anrl glorious thing to fight for one's l)a\-id Saunders of Cleveland, Ohio; Mary, who 

country, to face death for the dear old flag, and married Benjamin Garbett of Xiles, Ohio, a mill 

if youths of to-day need lessons in patriotism let hand; Emma, now deceased, the wife of William 

them listen to such soldier boys as Capt. Grove. ]\Iann of \'ulcan Forge; James; and Charles, 

who can tell them of want and woe, of war and When Charles Alatthews was an infant of two 

final victory. Ca])t. Grove is a menilier of the summers, his parents moved to Niles, Ohio, 

L'nion N'eteran Legion of New Castle, and has where the\- lived five years, and since that time 



held offices in the Post, Xo. 251, G. A. K. of 
N'ew Lebanon. He is a charter luember of Ell- 
wood Lodge, l"". & A. ]\L, No. 559, and was for- 
merly a member of Lake Lodge, F. & A. M., 
No. 434. He is also a memlier of Mt. Calvary 
Lodge. No. 67, Knights Templar. 



CHARLES MATTHEWS, Repul)lican nom- 
inee for sheriff of Lawrence Co., Fa., was born 
in New Castle, of which city he is still a resident, 
Oct. 15, 1856. He is a son of Matthias and 
Anna (Ilrant) Matthews; the latter was born in 
London, England, and died in 1871. Matthias 
Matthews was liorn in Staffordshire, Eng., anil 
passed away in 1888, aged eigiitv-tive vears. He 
came to the Cnited States in 1827 or 1828 lui- 
der contract to work in the iron mills, of which 
at that time there were Init three in the whole 
comitry. He was a supporter of the Democratic 
])arty on political matters, and a member of the 
Episcopal Church. He was a son of John Mat- 
thews, a native of \\'ales, who married a Aliss 
r.ennett. ( )ur subject's i)arents were married 
in New York City, where our sul)ject's mother 



lie has resided in New Castle. He attended school 
till he was about fourteen years of age, work- 
ing in tlie mills in the summer as soon as he 
was old enough, and going to school in the win- 
ter. At the age of sixteen years, he was appren- 
ticed to the trade of roll-turner in the iron mills, 
and when nineteen years of age attended the 
business college in the winter. In 1887, he em- 
barked in the shoe Inisiness one year, but was 
satisfied to give it up at the end of the vear to 
re-enter the mills, where he had been urged to 
come. In November, 1894, 'le became business 
manager and treasurer of the Lawrence Ciuarcl- 
ian, and continued to Ivdd the office until after 
the campaign of that fall, when the Guardian 
was consolidated with the Courant, and in the 
resulting corporation Mr. Matthews is still a 
director. 

On Feb. 26, 1888, in New Castle, his nuptials 
were consummated with Miss Elizabeth Lutton, 
a native of New Castle, and daughter of William 
B. and Jane (Buck) Lutton. A\'illiam B. Lutton 
was for many years city poor director and coun- 
ty c<.immissioner; he died in i88y, aged si.xty- 
five years ; his wife survives him at the age of 
sixtv-six. Three children, Charles, Alarlen, and 



was a school-teacher. To them were born seven Helen, have been born to our subject and wife, 
children, four boys ami three girls, as follows: They are members of the Presbyterian Church. 
Joseph, a mill haml of New Castle; John, also a Mr. Matthews is a prominent jMason, and has 




DAVID TIDBALL, ESQ. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 410 

taken high orders; lie belongs to the following The Titlball family is of Welsh origin, springing 
organizations: Mahoning Lodge Xo. 243, F. & from four brothers, who came to America in 
A. M., of which he is past master; Delta Chap- 1716. Our subject's grandfather. David, was 
ter, No. 170, K. A. .M., of which he is past high one of nine sons born to his parents, three of 
priest and trustee; Hiram Council, of which he whom settled in \irginia, three in Ohio, one in 
is T. I. G. M.; Lawrence Commandery. Xo. 62, Allegheny Co., Pa., and two, John and David. 
Knights Templar, of which he is past en)inent who came to Xew Ca.=tle. David Tidball mar- 
commander. He was grand steward in the Grand ried Isabella McGowan, who was of Scotch ori- 
Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1895-96. lie was for- gin. He bought a farm in Lawrence Count*- in 
nierly a member of tiie .\. \. & S, \V. He has 1806, and departed this life at tiie age of seventy- 
served in both tiie common council and select three. Our subject's father. John C. Tidliall, 
council, and has been sent by his party as dele- was born in Allegheny Co., Pa., and followed 
tlate to State Conventions. While a member of the trade of a tanner, living to be about sixty 
the select council he served as chairman of the years old. 

finance and fire committees and was a member of David Tidball, the eldest of eleven cinldren 

other important coniniittees. l)orn to his parents, was reared in Xew Castle, 

and as it was before the time of free public in- 
m~>-^*m struction, his education was secured in schools 

that were supported by private subscriptions. 

l)A\T!) TlDl'.ALL, KSO. The gentleman The only text-books in use were the Testament, 

named above has every claim for representation an English reader, an introductory arithmetic, 

in this book, both from his birth and very long the old lilue spelling book, and a United States 

residence in Xew Castle, and also for his long history, not a very complete collection of text- 

l)ul)lic and semi-public service, in which he has books viewed from the demands of to-day, but 

ever been a prominent character in the they sufficed to give the fundamental principles 

history of the town. His age has already gone of an education to many a boy, who with the 

far beyond that allotted to the average man, and smattering of an education thus obtained made 

he is fast approaching the octogenarian mark, a mark for himself in the world, and made hini- 

but still retains much of his youthful vigor, and self respected and admired by all who had the 

full possession of his faculties. He was born in good fortune to 1)econie well-ac(iuainted with 

a log-cabin, situated on Pittsburg Street, Xew him. When a young man, Mr. Tidball learned 

Castle. March i, 1818, and is a son of John C. the tailor's trade, and later on was a clerk in 

and Sarah (Squires) Tidball. the latter a daugh- Mr. Kissick's store. He was appointed post- 

ter of James Squires, a native of the State of master by \an I'.uren near the end of that Presi- 

Xew Jersey, who came to the western part of the dent's administration, and served some seven or 

State about 1800, and followed agricultural pur- eight months; he was again ai)pointed by Presi- 

suits. He was also a soldier of the Revolution, dent Tvler. and served a similar period. From 



420 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

18^2 to 1856 lie was postmaster under President JAMES R. MARTIN, a resident of New Cas- 

Pieree. In August, 1867, he was again appoint- tie, who has been associated with the active and 

ed to the position by President Johnson, and progressive men of the State in general indus- 

served fourteen consecutive years, under all the trial activity, is now i)ractically retired from busi- 

Presidents till Garfield. I'rom i860 to 1865. he ness. He was born at liethel, Mercer Co., Pa., 

served as justice (if the ])eace. During all the Dec. 16, 1848, and is a son of Thomas and Eliza- 

vears in which he held sway over the New Cas- beth (Robinson) ^lartin, and grandson of Hugh 

tie postofifice, Scjuire Tidball was uniformly ;\Iartin. 

courteous and obliging, performing many little ( )ur subject's grandfather came from Berks 
acts of accommodation for the patrons of the Co., Pa., to North Beaver township, Lawrence 
()ffice, and requiring his employees to do the Co.. Pa., in 1829, with seven sons and one daugh- 
same. The same traits of character, that went to ter, using five horses and one wagon to trans- 
make him so well-liked as postmaster, made him port his personal efYects and property. The 
]iopular as a host, when in 1882 he i)urchased the overland route, by which they came, took them 
Leslie House, and conducted it successfully for many da_\s and even weeks, and as the youngest 
the following seven years. He was known far child was but three years old, their emigration 
and wide as one of the most popular landlords in was filled with many trials. He bought a farm in 
Western Pennsylvania. the wilderness at what has since been known as 
David Tidball, Esq., was married in 1854 in W'estfield Church, Lawrence Co., and there he 
New Castle to ^liss Martha Di.xoii. daughter of followed farming the remainder of his life, dying 
Charles and Nancy (Graliam) Dixon, and to him in 1859. aged about seventy-five years. His 
and his well-beloved wife have been given eight wife passed away in 1868 or 1869, aged eighty- 
children as follows: ^lary, deceased; Charles, one years. Their children were: Thomas; 
deceased; Frank, who was city clerk of New Hugh; Samuel: Seth; George: Catherine; John ; 
Castle for a time, but who is at present an offi- and David. The three latter are single and live 
cial under the present administration: Nevin D., on the old homestead. 

who is in the office of the \'alley Steel Co. : ^^'ill- In 1836, Thomas IMartin with his brother 

iam deceased; David, a clerk in a leading liotel Hugh bought a tract of land near the home- 

o{ Pittsburg; Ella, the wife of Joseph Hays: and stead, in Bethel, Mercer County, and built there 

Martha. ]\Irs. Tidball and daughters are mem- a log-house; later on they divided the land and 

hers of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject is farmed separately until 1861, when our sub- 

a stanch Republican, tliough previous to the war ject's father sold his jiropertx' and bought a farm 

he was an old-line Democrat. He is a member at Hillsville. Mahoning township, this county, 

of Lodge of the Craft. No. 433, F. & A. M. of where he died July 23, 1867: he was born in 

New Castle. His portrait accompanies this 1809. His wife, who was a daughter of James 

notice of his life, and may be viewed on a pre- L. Robinson, died in 1895, lacking one month 

ceding page. of being an octogenarian. By Thomas ]\lartin's 



BOOK Ut liluGRAPHfES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



421 



first marriage with .Miss Ann Johnson, who died 
at the age of twenty-two, two children were 
born: Samuel, a citizen of Iowa, and Robert of 
the State of California. The following children 
blessed his second mariage: John S. of Hills- 
ville, Lawrence County; James R., the subject 
of this short biography; Mary S.. now deceased, 
who was the wife of John Gailey; Cyrus L. lives 
on the homestead; Annie Elizabeth married 
William Gilmore; Permclia J. married E. Miller 
of Springfield, Ohio. Our subject's father was 
a Whig and then a Republican, and served the 
town of which he was a resident in various of its 
offices. 

James R. Martin secured an education, which 
was fair for that time, in the schools of Ilillsville, 
and until he was thirty-two years of age re- 
mained on the homestead, and then bought a 
farm of liis own. and besides carrying on general 
farming he did a large business in the buying and 
shipping of horses to Eastern markets. After a 
number of years' residence there, he, in 1889, be- 
cause of his wife's serious illness, moved to New 
Castle, and, besides supervising the farm, dealt 
in coal, lime and cement under the firm name 
of J. R. Martin & Co., for three years, when he 
sold out. At the present time he is practically 
retired, with the exception of the work he still 
puts in the management of his farm, and in look- 
ing after his interests in limestone. In 1890 he 
built a handsome residence at Xo. 125 North 
Mill Street, and also owns a tenement which is 
located on the same lot. 

In 1880 Mr. Martin married Miss Durette 
Whiting, daughter of John Whiting. She died 
Dec. 30, 1890, aged thirty-six years, leaving one 
daughter and two sons: \'erna L., born April 2, 



1882; Chauncey J., Jan. 3, 1884; and Freddie L., 
Nov. 15, 1885. As his second helpmeet our 
subject married ^Irs. Genevieve Hazen, widow 
of Oscar M. Hazen, wlio left one son, Roy W. 
Hazen; Mrs. Martin is a daughter of Hiram 
Watson. Mr. Martin uniformly supports the Re- 
publican party. He is a n»ember of the I. O. O. 
P., and Past Grand of the same; and of the En- 
campment, and Past High Priest of that. 



WILLIAM II. REYNOLDS, deceased, who 
was in his life a leading tin and coppersmith of 
New Castle, was born in the above town Aug. 5, 
1812, and died Aug. 29, 1880. He was a son of 
Joseph Reynolds, who married a Miss Inbody, 
who was of German origin. Our subject's 
grandfather. Reynolds, came from England dur- 
ing the last century. 

Our subject learned the trade of a tin and cop- 
persmith in Mercer County, when a young 
man, and was engaged at the occupation of 
smithing all his life. Mr. Reynolds was a Demo- 
crat to the backbone, as are his sons; he served 
as president of the select council for the city of 
New Castle, as school director and as poor di- 
rector. Lender President Buchanan's adminis- 
tration, he served as postmaster. He was a 
member of the K. of P., Fidelis Lodge. 

\\'illiam H. Reynolds was married in New 
Castle to Susan H. Squier, who was born in New 
Castle, April 10, 1823, a daughter of Anthony 
and Mary (Hudson) Squier. Anthony Squier 
was probably born on the site of New Castle, 
Jan. 18, 1796, and in the early days of the set- 
tlement kept a tavern in a building on Washing- 



422 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



ton Street, which was one of the best and most 
substantial structures in New Castle at that time. 
He died Feb. 27, 1837. He was a son of James 
and Lydia (Reynolds) Scjuier. James Squier 
was a soldier of the Revolution, enlisting at the 
age of eighteen, ]May 28, 1778, at Monmouth, 
N. J.; he received a pension from the govern- 
ment. ?Ie was born in England, Jan. 7, 1760, 
and died in 1848 in New Castle. Mary Hudsun, 
Mrs. Reynolds' mother, was a daughter of Will- 
iam and Susanna (Gray) Hudson. 

To William H. Reynolds and his wife were 
born five children, namely: Mary, who married 
T. J. Garvin, who is engaged in the livery Inisi- 
ness on Apple Alley, New Castle, they have 
seven children; Grace died in infancy; Addie; 
Charles L., a tinsmith of New Castle, who mar- 
ried Anna Gaston, has three children, his sketch 
appears elsewhere in this Book of Biographies; 
William H.. Jr., married Ella Brown, deceased, 
and is the father of one child. 



DANIEL BITNER of No. 182 Croton Ave- 
nue, New Castle, is a l^lacksmith by trade, and 
is now employed in that capacity in the Law- 
rence Glass Works of the aliove city. Although 
very well along in years, his birth occurring Jan. 
25, 1825, he is hale and hearty, and able to swing 
the sledge with as much vim and precision as 
many who are scores of years his junior. He is 
a son of Jacob and Anna (Calhoun) Bitner. 
Jacob Bitner, a soldier of the War uf 1812, 
whose birth occurred about 1797, was American 
born, but of German parentage, his mother hav- 
ing been born and reared in the old countr\-. 



Jacob Bitner learned the blacksmith's trade, and 
in early life worked in Alleghenv Citv, and I'itts- 
burg. When our sul)ject was about four years 
of age, Jacob Bitner came to Lawrence County; 
of his four lioys and four girls, Daniel and his 
brother P>arnet are the only survivors. As the 
older l)Ovs grew up, the father took them into 
his shop, desiring to teach them his trade, and 
keep them at home with him, l.nit each in his 
turn became dissatisfied, and looked for other 
fields of labor. At last when all the older sons 
had left him, the father took Daniel into the shop 
at the early age of twelve years, just as soon as 
he was able to swing a sledge, and from that 
time on to the end of what might have been 
called his school-boy days he remained in his 
father's shop, and thought no more of going to 
school again. As he grew up he continued to 
work in his father's shop in Croton, and upon 
his father's death in 1847, lie succeeded to the 
business, and manv years thereafter found him 
laboring at his forge in Croton. Then for some 
eight or ten years he was engaged in the grocery 
business in the same village, and then returned 
to his trade. For the past fifteen years he has 
been employed in the shops of the Union Glass 
Co., and latterly of its successor, the Lawrence 
Glass Co. 

On Jan. 18, 1847, -^J''- riitner was married to 
Hester Baker, with whom he has lived fifty hap- 
py years, and gathered about him a contented 
familv of children and grandchildren. ^Irs. Bit- 
ner is a daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Rigby) 
Baker, the former a pensioner of the War of 
1 81 2. To Mr. Bitner and his wife have Iieen 
given five children: Martha Jane, deceased; 
Jacob Baker, a blacksmith, now living in Fair- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 423 

mount, Intl.; Mary Ann, who married J. D. Har- at a critical juncture. The execution was not so 
vey of New Castle; Roseltha M., who married much for the gravity of the offense, but the time 
E. E. Hartsuff of New Castle; and Hannah, who required strict discipline, and a terrible example 
died in infancy. His religious attachments bind nnist be Iield up before all in order that they per- 
hiin to the .M. \L. Church. Politically, he is a form their duty. Mr. Cook always regretted the 
I'iepublican, and in respect to his social connec- action of the military authorities in this matter, 
lions, he is an Odd Fellow, and a member of and thought the sentence too severe. Our sub- 
the A. (). I'. W. He has a pleasant home in ject's father learned the wood-working trades, 
Croton, near the scene of his life-work, where and became an expert carpenter, joiner and cab- 
he will spend his declining years, surrounded inct-makcr. Later in life he entered into mer- 
by his friends and descendants. cantile life, and owned and conducted a large 

general store in Darlington; he was so successful 

ill this venture, that he established a branch 

store at Clinton, which also proved very profit- 
able. His early demise at the age of fifty-one 
JAMES J. COOK. It is always a matter of cut short a very promising career, but such is 
interest to review the lives of early settlers, and the uncertainty of life, the best, the fairest, and 
to note from the study of their careers the pro- the noblest seem to succumb earliest to the final 
gress time had made in their surroundings while summons. Mr. Cook was a Presbyterian in his 
silvering their hair and implanting furrows of religious views, and in his politics was an old- 
care on the forehead. The gentleman, whose line Whig of the deepest dye. He was ever active 
name occurs above, a retired resident of New in politics, a good manager, and hard worker 
Castle, although a native of Darlington, Beaver for his friends and their principles, but would 
Co., Pa., has been a citizen and one of the prom- never accept any office himself at the gift of the 
incnt men of the city of Xew Castle for the people. He married Su.sanna Johnson, daughter 
greater part of his life. Although practically re- of Andrew Johnson of Beaver Co., Pa., and to 
tired, and living in comfortable circumstances, them were born six children, as follows: Mary, 
he has been long connected with the public life deceased; Andrew Johnson; John C; James J., 
of the city and county as court crier. our subject; Martha A., deceased; and Emeline, 

Mr. Cook was born in Darlington, P.eavcr Co., deceased. 

Pa,, Sept. lo, 1828, on the anniver.sary of Com- James J. Cook was reared until his eighteenth 

modore Perry's victory over the r.ritish on Lake year in his native town, attending district school 

Erie. Plis father, Benjamin Cook, also a native and the academy at Darlington until he was 

of Chambersburg, Pa., was born in 1794, and fourteen, following that up with a summer term 

died in 1845: when but a youth lie served in the in a school at Atwater, Ohio, where his sister, a 

War of 181 2. and was an intimate friend of Bird, teacher, induced him to go for a time in the hope 

who was executed for overstaying Jiis furlough that his somewhat feeble health might be im- 



424 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

proved. His health for many years was not of apparent to our subject that indoor work was 

the best liecause his work at the trade of a tailor not suited io him, and so he secured a place on 

conmienced wlien he was very young, and thus the police force of New Castle, and rose to the 

withheld from him many of the sports and good position of chief of police, was then elected tax 

times that go as far toward building up the collector and was finally seated in the mayor's 

young frame. Wdiile still a lad of eight or nine chair, liaving ptirchased a fine farm of ninety 

years, instead of playing with other boys of his acres north of New Castle, he devoted his spare 

age in some healthful exercise, he would frc- time to its management, and the two years he 

i|uently work in tlie shop of a friendly tailor resided there were two of the happiest years of 

when there was anything he could do. From his life. 

time to time he learned new things about the For fifteen years, j\Ir. Cook served as court 
trade and more was entrusted to him, so that at crier, and although he cared little for the posi- 
the age of fourteen when he was apprenticed, he tion. it was at the request of his friends and fam- 
was really more proficient than many of the jour- ily that he retained the office. Mr. Cook was a 
neymen tailors of the place. He served two years member of a New Castle Lodge of the I. O. 
as an apprentice under James iMurray. In 1846, C). F.. but is not actively connected with the or- 
he came to New Castle, and after working there ganization at present. He is a strong Republi- 
six months more as an apprentice, was given can, and has always been since its organization, 
piece work, and then earned and saved enough previously voting the Democratic ticket, 
to go into business f(_)r himself. This he did with July 25, 1840. Mr. Cook was married to Mary 
John lUevins, the present city treasurer, and they E. \Miitten, a native of Warren, Ohio, daughter 
were so associated until 1850. when Mr. Cook, of Oliver Whitten, a native of the State of Maine, 
seeing a good opening in his native place where who married Lavinia Percy, a daughter of Jos- 
there was then a large amount of railroad con- eph and Lavinia (Reynolds) Percy. Joseph Per- 
struction, opened a clothing store and tailoring cy was a soldier of the Revolution, and of Eng- 
establishment in Darlington, which he conduct- lish descent, his lirother who remained in Eng- 
ed until 1856. In the following year, he removed land being John Lord Percy of the English no- 
to New Castle, where he went into partnership bility. Of a family of six children Ijorn to ( )liver 
with John ^^"illiams, and opened a store and ^^'hitten. ]\Jary E., the wife of our subject, was 
tailor shop, but owing to the ill health of both fifth. The union of our subject and wife has re- 
partners, it was deemed advisable by Mr. Cook suited in five children as follows: Charles W., 
to go to other parts for a change of environment, who married Miss Lou Svv'all, and has four chil- 
climate, temperature or whatever was needed, dren, Edith, ]Mary E., James P., and Eber D. ; 
Mr. Williams decided to remain, and so after Mary Lovan ; Susanna J. ; Albert J.; and Edward 
invoicing their goods, ]Mr. Cook left for Ohio, Percy. Mrs. Cook and her daughters are mem- 
where health steadily improved, while Mr. Will- bers of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of 
iams lasted but a few months At last it became New Castle. 




GEORGE W. GAGEBY. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



42^ 



GEORGE \V. GAGEBV, master-mechanic of 
the Shenango Valley Steel Co., was born in 
Johnstown, Pa., Sept. 14, 1839, and is a son of 
Robert Gageby, and grandson of James Gage- 
by, who was born in Londonderry, Ireland, and 
came to this country about the time the colonists 
were having their memorable dispute with 



to the Keystone State, and found profitable em- 
ployment in the work attendant upon the carry- 
ing out of those projects; he finally settled in 
Johnstown, where he labored at his forge until 
the year 1870, when his death took place when 
he was aged seventy-three years. He married 
Rebecca S. Douglass, cousin of the late Thomas 



George III. over their conceived right to govern Scott, ex-president of the Pennsylvania railroad; 



and care for themselves. Soon after landing on 
the soil of the New World, he took one of the 
important steps in life, and was joined in mar- 
riage with janette Scroggs, also a native of the 
Emerald Isle; they settled at Fairfield, West- 
moreland Co., Pa. Like the patriotic son of old 



she was drowned in the Johnstown flood at the 
age of seventy-four years. There were born to 
our subject's parents the following children: 
James H.; George W., our subject; Ellen M.; 
deceased; Mary E. ; Jemima, D. (White), de- 
ceased; Arabella (McClure); Sarah J., deceased; 



Ireland that he was, he bore no love toward King Joseph S. ; and John S. Of the aljove, Jemima 



George and his red-coated soldiery, and so with 
an earnest zeal to serve well the country of his 
adoption he enlisted in tlie Continental Army, 
and served through the rest of the war. When 
the colonics had at last effected a peace bought 
with blood, and hostilities ceased, he engaged in 
agricultural pursuits, and followed the occupa- 
tion of a farmer the rest of his life. These seven 
children were born to thcni: Allen, wiio went to 
\'irginia; David, who became a citizen of Indi- 
ana; James, who also became a resident of the 
Hoosier State; Neal, who moved to Iowa; Jane 
(Elder), who remained in Westmoreland Coun- 
ty; John; and Robert, our subject's father. 
Robert (iageby was l)orn in Westmoreland 



D. (White), and Sarah J. lost their lives in the 
great Johnstown flood, which awful disaster cast 
a black shadow for many years over the beauti- 
ful valley. The family favored the Presbyterian 
Church. Our subject's father was a Whig and 
later a Republican. 

George W. Gageby began to care for himself 
at the age of fourteen, commencing to work at 
that age in the Cambria Iron Works, serving 
his apprenticeship as a machinist. He remained 
with that company seven years, and then on the 
breaking out of the civil war enlisted in Co. G, 
3rd Pa. Vol. Inf.. and after serving his original 
term of enlistment of three months, he re-enlist- 
ed in Co. D, 54th Pa. Vol. Inf.; he was with 



County, where his early years were spent on the Sheridan in the valley, and was located in West 

farm, going to school when he could at the \'irginia the greater part of the time; he was 

neighboring district school. He learned the mustered out of the service and received an hon- 

trade of a blacksmith, and went to Kentucky, orable discharge Dec. 29, 1864. His war days 

where he worked for a few years in an a.xe fac- over he rclurned to Johnstown, and again en- 

tory. \\'hen the canal and railroad were being tered the employ of the Cambria Iron Co.. hut 

built from Pliiladclphia to Pittsburg, he returned after six months with them he went to W'est \"\x- 



428 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



ginia for a short stay, and then to Philailclphia, 
where he worked at his trade for the Pennsyl- 
vania railroad for one year, after which he again 
returned to Johnstown to work for the Cambria 
Iron Co. In 1873, he was promoted to the as- 
sistant forcmanship of the shops, and in the same 
year was made general foreman, and remained 
with the company in that connection until 1883. 
In that year he went to Chattanijoga, Tenn., 
where he became master-mechanic of the South 
Tredegar Iron Co.'s shops; after being witli 
them but eight months, he was taken sick, and 
was compelled by that circumstance to return to 
his native town and seek a restoration of his 
health. In three months he had recuperated 
sufficiently to accept a position with the Niles 
Tool Works at the branch office at Chicago, Ills. 
During the time he was with them, he erected 
and started in successful operation the rolling- 
mill at Pullman, Ills. lie then returned to his 
native State again, and became foreman of the 
machine shops of the J- P. Witherow Iron Co. 
of New Castle, remaining with them in that ca- 
pacity for three years. He then accepted a posi- 
tion as foreman of the Horton, McKnight shops 
in Pittsburg Pa., and for eight months fulfilled 
the duties of that position. Later on he returned 
to New Castle to work in the shops of the \Vire 
Nail Co., and when the rod mill was built, he set 
up and ran the engines for that branch of the 
concern for si.x months. He was then made 
night foreman of the mill, a position he held 
until 1893, in which )ear he set up all the ma- 
chinery in the tin mill and started the same in 
operation. After a short rest he became engaged 
with the Shenango Valley Steel Co. as its master 
mechanic, a position he still retains. As will be 



noted by the foregoing account of Mr. Gageby's 
labors, he has been engaged in many important 
and trying positions, and his skill and knowledge 
of machinery has been thoroughly adequate to 
the most unforeseen emergency, enabling him to 
discharge his duties in a manner that has reflect- 
ed credit on his ability, and that has never given 
his employers the least cause of complaint. 

Mr. Gageby married Rose Pisel, daughter of 
Benjamin Pisel, a^id to them have been given the 
following children: Susan; Leonora; Viola. He 
is a strong, unyielding Republican, and always 
active in whatever will materially assist his 
chosen party. He is a member of the G. A. R. 
Post, No. 30, and has been through all of the 
of^ces; he also belongs to the Union Veteran 
Legion, and to the Royal Arcanum. As a 
Mason, lie is a member of Cambria Lodge, No. 
278, F. & A. M., and Chapter No. 195, R. A. M. 
It gives us pleasure to call attention to the por- 
trait of ]\Ir. Gageby that apj^ears on a preceding 
page, for his worth is apparent to the most dis- 
interested reader. 



FRANK L. KELLY, wh<i until recently was 
engaged in retailing oil in New Castle, having 
l3uilt up a large business in that city and the sur- 
rounding country, but who is now interested in 
the grocerv business in company with Perry S. 
Martin, was born in Mahoning township, Law- 
rence Co., Pa., April 25, 1866. His parents were 
Andrew and Rhuda (Robinson) Kelly, the lat- 
ter a native of Mahoning township, and a daugh- 
ter of John H. and Catherine (Ward) Robinson. 
Catherine (Ward) Robinson was a daughter of 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWKENCE COUNTY. 



429 



P'rancis Ward, and was born about 1800, and 
died in 1845. John H. Robinson was born in 
Mahoning township, then a part of Mercer 
County, in 1795, and died in 1873, having 
througliout liis entire hfe followed the peaceful 
pursuits of agriculture. Of the eleven children 
born to him and his wife, eight now survive. 
John H. Robinson was a son of Henry and Mary 
(Kelly) Robinson, the father a native of old 
Ireland. 

Andrew Kelly, our subject's father, was born 
in Mercer County in tliat part of it which is in- 
cluded in Mahoning township, Lawrence Coun- 
ty, and followed farming in his native town all 
his life. His father, Andrew Kelly, Sr., was also 
a respected agriculturist, having come to Mer- 
cer County at an early day. To Andrew Kelly, 
Jr., were born seven children: John A., de- 
ceased; Newell, who died in a military hospital 
at Nashville, Tenn., while in the service of his 
country during the late rebellion; an infant 
daughter, deceased; Melissa, deceased; Elmer, 
who is conducting the old home farm in Mahon- 
ing township; Frank L., our subject; and Cary 
L., the youngest son, who is attending school in 
(iranville, Ohio. 

Frank L. Kelly obtained his education in the 
district schools of his native township, and the 
high school of Hillsville, Pa., until he had 
reached the age of eighteen years. During the 
following seven years, he worked on the home 
farm, giving his time to his parents. He mar- 
ried at the age of twenty-five, and for the next 
two years took entire charge of the homestead. 
Then seeing an opening in Xew Castle for a man 
of energy and indomitable will, he came to the 
city in 1893, anil purchased an oil business which 



he extended in every direction to the city limits, 
and to outside points within a radius of eight or 
ten miles, delivering a superior quality of oils to 
his patrons throughout his district. July 22, 
1897, he soUl his oil business to Guy Zinuner- 
man. and purchased, in company with I'erry S. 
Martin, the store and grocery stock of John A. 
Miller & Son, of No. 388 West Washington 
Street, and they are now meeting with the most 
flattering success. 

Mr. Kelly was married in Hillsville to Aliss 
Nora M. Martin, a native of that borough, antl 
a daughter of John S. and Rebecca (Fox) Alar- 
tin. One bright child has come to gladden the 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, to whom has been 
given the name of Gladys. Our subject and 
wil'e are both members of the First Baptist 
Church of New Castle. Mr. Kelly is a Republi- 
can partisan, and a hard worker for his friends. 



R. F. W. ZIEGLER, superintendent of 
the Prudential insurance Com|)any at Xew 
Castle, Lawrence County, is a gentleman 
whose business career has been a steady 
progress, and whose present position has 
been the result of many years ot faith- 
ful service to the great Prudential Insur- 
ance Company of Newark. X. J. He was l)nrn 
in Heidelberg township, Lehigh Co., Pa., Dec. 
17. 1865, and is a son of Charles F. and Eva A. 
(I^iedy) Ziegler. Our subject's mother was a 
native of Heidelberg township, and a daughter 
of Elias and Maria (Mantz) Riedy, the latter a 
daughter of David Mantz. Elias Riedy, who 
was a native of the Kevstone State, was a far- 



430 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

nier by occupatiim, and in early life was interest- and continued there until July, 1887, when he 
ed in millings ; he lived to be upwards of seventy became assistant in the detached office at Lan- 
years of age. (_)ur subject's father was a son of caster, Pa., where he was employed eighteen 
Charles and Hannah (Newhard) Ziegler, both months. He next went to Reading, where he 
natives of Eastern Pennsylvania. Charles was stayed until the fall of 1890, and from there to 
the son of one of three brothers who came to South Pjethlehem, where he was until January, 
America in the last centurv; he was a farmer 1892, at which time he took full charge of the 
throughout his life, and owned one of the finest office at Catasaucjua, where he remained until 
farms in Lowhill township, on which he lived his appointment, Jan. 23, 1893, superintendent 
until his death in February, 1896, at the age of of the New Castle district, comprising eight 
sevent}-five years. His son, Charles F., was counties in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Under Mr. 
born in Claussville, in Lehigh Co., Pa., in 1842: Ziegler's management, the business increased so 
he was a man of good education, and taught rapidly, that it was soon too large for one dis- 
school twenty-four years. Later he embarked trict, and the four ( )hio districts were set off into 
in mercantile pursuits, keeping a general store a separate field of their own, and the four Penn- 
at Allentown, until he became interested in the s)-lvania counties were continued under Mr. Zie- 
insurance business, to which he has since given gler's management. These have been thorough- 
his entire attention. He has been exclusively in ly organized with twenty-nine agents to look 
the employ of the Prudential Insurance Com- after the details of the field work, with seven 
pany since 1893. He is a member of the Evan- clerks at the district office in the Pearson Block, 
gelical Church. New Castle. ( )ur subject's particular talents lie 
Richard E. W. Ziegler lived in Heidelberg in organizing, and in this phase of the work has 
township until ten years of age, when the family he proved himself especially valuable to his em- 
moved to Claussville, where they remained three ploycrs, and has commanded their respect and 
years before taking up their residence in Allen- esteem. 

town, where our subject spent the remaining He was joineil in the bonds of holy niatri- 
years of his youth, and completed his education, mony, Dec. 19, 1884, at Allentown, Pa., to 
having passed through the high school at Ennna S. Koch, daughter of Charles D. and 
Claussville. After living in Allentown four Helen (Pleil) Koch of Allentown. To our sub- 
years, during which period he was engaged in ject and wife three children have been born, as 
teaching music, an art he was very proficient in, follows: Florence Eva Eleanor; Stanley Frank- 
he became in his eighteenth year a solicitor for lin Le Roy; and Harold \\'ard Dryden. J\Ir. and 
the Prudential Insurance Company in Allen- -Mrs. Ziegler are included among the most regu- 
town. From that place he went to Shenandoah, lar and faithful attendants and members of the 
and represented the company in the same ca- ^1. ]•". Church. In his politics, Air. Ziegler 
pacity, remaining there from 1886 to the spring throws his influence and vote in favor of the 
of 1887, when he was transferred to Shamokin, Prohibition party. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



4;n 



WILLIAM W. WADDIXGTON, general 
foreman of the yards and shops of the W. N. Y. 
& P. R. R. at New Castle, was born in the above 
city, May 29, 1859. He is a son of Wilkes and 
Kate (Lint) Waddington. Onr subject's mother 
was born in New Castle, and was a daughter of 
Jacob and Mary (Slogge) Lint; the latter at- 
tained an age of eighty years; the former, who 
was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., was a carpenter 
by trade, and died in New Castle about 1875. 
being upwards of eighty years of age. Our sub- 
ject's father was a son of Benjamin and Nancy 
(Burnley) Waddington, and grandson of Ben- 
jamin Wadchngton, Sr., who was a citizen of 
Kngland, where he lived his whole life, engaged 
in the woolen mills, and died in 1845. His son, 
the grandfather of our subject, was born in l'"ng- 
land. at Eccles Hill, Yorkshire, in 1794, and de 
parted this life at I-'t. \\'ayne, Ind., Feb. 29. 1876: 
he was interred in the cemetery at East Brook, 
where he had long been a resident. He was a 
member of the M. I'.. Church, and voted the 
Democratic ticket. His trade was that of a wool 
spinner, and he followed it many years in the 
mills at East Brook. His wife was a daugliter 
of Joseph and Mary (Holmes) Burnley, and she 
had a brother who fought in the battle of Water- 
loo under Wellington. Joseph Burnley was 
l)orn in F.iigland in 1766, and came to America 
in 1832; he was a woolen manufacturer, and died 
about 1 85 1. 

Wilkes Waddington was Ijoru in England in 
1826, and became a resident of America when 
he was twelve years of age, his parents emigrat- 
ing hither at that time. When of suitable age 
f(jr apjirenlicing him to a trade, he was taught 
the trade of a machinist, and shortlv became su- 



perintendent of the New Castle Manufacturing 
Co. Later he became a moving spirit in the firm 
of Shaw, Waddington & Co. on South Mercer 
Street. There the firm established a foundry and 
machine shop, and our subject's father continued 
in business until his death, which was caused by 
contracting a severe cold, from which he never 
recovered. 
\\'illiam W. Waddington was brougiit up m 
New Castle, and attended the public schools un- 
til thirteen years of age, when he went into his 
father's shops as a fireman and engineer, and 
continued in such occupations for two years. 
Pie then learned the machinist's trade, and 
worked at it five years. At the age of twenty- 
one, he became engineer in New Castle's fire 
department, and remained there until April. 
1882, in which month he was given a position 
as fireman on the W. N. Y. & P. R. R., and after 
serving in that capacity fifteen months became 
an engineer, and held the throttle three years. 
Following this, he was associated with the James 
P. Witherow Co. some two years in the machine 
shops on Jefferson Street. He again accepted a 
position with the W. N. Y. & P. R. R. as fore- 
man of the round-house, and held that position 
until August, 1895, when he 1)ecame foreman of 
the shops and yards of that company in New 
Castle, a position he is creditably filling at the 
present time. Mr. Waddington is the eldest of 
four sons, born to his parents, all of whom are 
expert machinists; fine mechanical skill seems to 
run tlirougli the entire family in all its branches. 
The names of the four brothers are: William 
W., our sul)ject: lien 1... macliinist for the New 
Castle Wire Nail Co.; l-'rank \\'., macliinist for 
the New Castle Steel iS: 'I'in-I'late Co.: and 



432 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



Oliver C, tlie engineer of the New Castle Trac- 
tion Co. 

The marriage ceremony which united our sub- 
ject and Georgiana Howard for life was per- 
formed in New Castle, June 25, 1886; the bride 
was a daughter of Lewis F. and Martha (Hill- 
man) Howard. Mrs. Waddington is a menil)er 
of the Baptist Church. C>ur subject is a Repub- 
lican in politics. .Socially, he is a member of 
Fidelis Lodge, No. 460, Knights of Pythias, of 
which he is past chancellor, and has represented 
it on two ditTerent occasions as a delegate to the 
Grand Lodge. He is also a member of Mahon- 
ing Lodge, No. 243, F. & A. M.; Delta Chapter, 
No. I/O; and Lawrence Commandery, No. 62, 
K. T. 



FRANK P. MAJOR, senior member of the 
firm of Major & McCready, general merchants 
of Wampum, dealing in all kinds of dry goods, 
groceries, boots and shoes, and clothing, is one 
of the prominent business men of that borough, 
and nuinljcrs his friends and patrons bv the 
hundred. He came into this busy world Alay 4, 
1857, at Middleton, Ohio; he was a son of Will- 
iam O. and Lena (Martin) Major. The mother 
was born in Mahoning Co., Ohio, Oct. 11, 1832. 

Mr. Major passed his boyhood days in Alid- 
dleton until he was eleven years of age, when he 
went to Carbon, Pa., and spent five years in the 
family of \\'illiain \\'alters, a well-to-do farmer <if 
that place. His next move brought him to 
Wampum, where he found work in the limestone 
quarries; in the brief period of si.x months he 
had become competent for the position of fore- 



man of the quarry by diligent, intelligent ser- 
vice, and held that position for seventeen years. 

In March, 1889, our subject determined to in- 
vest his earnings, and to engage in business, as 
an agreeable change from the life of hard work 
he had previously experienced. He accordingly 
purchased a half interest in a stock of goods, 
thereby becoming the junior member of the firm 
of Cunningham & Major. He has retained his 
partnership in the store since, although the first 
partnership was dissolved at, the end of three 
years, and Mr. Braby displaced Mr. Cunning- 
ham. ( )n Dec. 29, 1896, Mr. Braby transferred 
his interest to Hugh J. McCready, and the pres- 
ent style of the firm is Major & McCready. They 
conduct a well-appointed general store, having 
all the departments usually found in an estab- 
lishment of that kind, such as dry goods, no- 
tions, clothing, boots, shoes, and groceries. 
They have the largest, neatest and best stock in 
the borough, and by placing before the poeple 
standard goods at moderate prices, they have 
built up a large trade. Being accommodating 
and courteous in their treatment of customers, 
they have hosts of business acquaintances, who 
have only the best words to speak of them. Mr. 
Major relied solely on his own efforts to win for 
him success in life, and to this success he has 
been entitled, and has enjoyed in a marked de- 
gree. He is a careful, conscientious business 
man, and his present position is as gratifying to 
those who have watchecl him from the begin- 
ning as it is to himself. 

Mr. Major was married in 1876 to Kate Co.x, 
daughter of William Cox and wife, the latter 
having been a Miss M. A. Longacre. One daugh- 
ter, Daisy, came to bless their home, and she is 




JOHN B. IRVIN. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 435 

now Mrs. Frank S. Key of Ashtabula, Ohio, antl John 1'.., the subject of this sketch, who was 

Her husLand is a tobacconist and confectioner, tlie only member of the family to marry. Our 

Having suffered the loss of Mrs. Major in Feb- subject's mother lived to the very advanced age 

ruary, 1884, Mr. Major contracted a matrimonial of ninety-six years. They were Presbyterians in 

alliance with Hattie McCandless, and they have religious belief. 

two sons, Walter and Glenn. Mr. and Mrs. Ma- John B. Irvin completed his education in his 

jor are members of the United Presbyterian native town, and at an early date turned his at- 

Church. Politically, Mr. Major inclines toward tention to agricultural pursuits. He came to 

the partv of Jefifersonian simplicity, and of the Lawrence County and settled on his present farm 

good old times. He has been a school director in 1845, and this has since been his home and 

for a term of nine years. He is a member in the scene of many years of labor, of seed-time 

good standing of the Junior O. I'. .\. M., and and harvest. He was always a hard worker, and 

of the I. O. O. F. directed his energies in a manner superior to the 

ordinary farmer, and to-day he is held in the 

-H^- highest esteem as a man of sterling worth and 

many excellent virtues. -Ever since the fornia- 
JOHN P>. IR\IX. Among those leading tion of the Republican party, he has labored zeal- 
citizens who have been engaged successfully in ously for its interests, his first vote being for 
the pursuits of agriculture in Hickory township, John C. Fremont, and his last for Major William 
and have acquired a comfortable competence McKinley; prior to the time when he associated 
thereby, John B. Irvin, whose portrait accom- himself with the Republican party, he voted the 
panying this sketch is shown on the opposite Whig ticket. He has held the township offices 
page, occupies a prominent position ; he is no of supervisor and assessor. 

longer actively engaged in farming, but at the In 1839, he was joined in wedlock with Aman- 
age of seventy-nine is leading a retired life on da McCreary, who was born Nov. 3, 1816, a 
his fine farm, enjoying the grateful rest that daughter of John McCreary of Hickory town- 
comes after a life of toil. He was born June 21, ship. This union has been abundantly blessed 
1818, on the banks of the Susquehanna River in with these children: Margaret E., wlio married 
Lycoming Co., Pa. His father, William Irvin, William Boyd, and has presented him with two 
who was akso a native of Pennsylvania, was a children — Minnie and Sarah; William B., who 
farmer by occupation, and after many profitable was captured by the Confederates and confined 
years in Lycoming County, he settled in what in the rebel prison at Dansville, \"a., and died the 
is now Hickory township, where he spent the next year after returning home; Thomas D.; 
remainder of his life in agricultural labors. His Martha W., who became the wife of Thomas 
wife, who was Jane Brown before her marriage Wilson of Ncshannock I'alls, Pa.; Willis E., who 
with him, bore him the following children: Eli- married Anna Buxton of Ncshannock Falls, Pa., 
za, deceased; Sarah; Greer; Nancy; Matthew; and had four children— John, Margaret, David, 



4;5'^' BOCK OF B/OGKAFNIES. LA U'JvFXCE COL'.VFy. 

and Amanda: after her death he married it w-as a principle that guided :. ^ his 
again, this time to Callie Ha\-ne of Mer- life that w-hen work of whatever c; sr:i>...r, pri- 
ce- County-, who bore him two children, vate, public or -"-•— —.ble, presented itself, he 
Mar}- and James. Of the above family bom to was to take fc io the best he could to 
Mr. and Mrs. John B. Irvin. Willis E. is the perform the work faithfully as it should be done, 
only sarvivor to-day. In religious behef and To his persistent and hard work is attributed the 
church aitachmenis. both oar subject and his cause of his death. Two large business c:~ " - 
wife are members of rhe Presbyterian Church of tions near Warren had made assignments, and 
East Br>:k. to him as assignee fell the work of straightening 

and settling the accounts: he devoted his time 

■ ' ^ ■ ■ and strength to the work, and his constitution 

was so undermined that his death was hastened 
DA\"ID TAMESOX, cashier of the Citizens" by a nimiber of years. He died in the year 1876, 
Xarional Bank of New Castle. Pa., was bom in aged fifrv-nine years. ' -ried Sarah A. 
Warrer. TnimbiiH Co_ Ohio, Tuiv 24. 1856. and Blair, daughter of Robe:. _. Blair, a 7 ■ - 
is a s-Dn of Eevin P. Jameson, whose birthplace iron manufacturer of Lake Count}-, 01-. . -;- 
was in Mercer, ilercer Co., Pa. Oar subject's there were bom to tliem ten children, namely: 
father spent his bovhood days near Warren, \\llliam C, deceased: George I_, deceased: Al- 
Ohio, and dtiring the greater part of his active ' bert !_. who lives in Warren, Ohio: Bevin, de- 
rnercaotile career was engaged in the hardware ceased: Robert B.. deceased: David, the subject 
bnsiiiess in that dty. following that line of trade of this narration : Henr}-, deceased : Frederick, 
until i8po, ranning at one time the Russia Roll- deceased: and Lucy, who became the wife of 
isg-mills at Xiles. Ohio. He with mo associates John M. Ormond of Toledo, Ohio. Our sub- 
owned and operated the gas plant of the city of ject"s mother is still living at her old hime in 
\'' arren for many years. For twenty years pre- Warren at the age of seventy-six. 
ceidisg his decease, he was also a director of the Da^-id Jameson, subject of this writing, re- 
i-irst Xanonal Bank of Warren. He was a good ceived his elementary education in the schools of 
thinker, a man of excellent judgment, and also a Warren. Ohio, then attended Allegheny College 
szjrewd business man : his imiuence was exten- of Mead't'ille. Pa., and ^"ictoria L'niversitv of Co- 
sive anc powentil and enabled him to assist in the bourg. Ontario, Canada. He determined or. the 
inrtnermg or the pr»>gress oi his nan^e toivn legal profession for a life career, and stu 
c-eyond wnat conld have been expected from the vrith Hutchins & Tuttle of Warren. Ohio, for 
sing;e-£ianced exertions ■?• one man. \\ hen any thjee years, and was admitted to the bar of the 
work ot mnmg or of large prop-^rrions. whether Supreme Court of Ohio in 1881. ent:"' ^ ' 
agreeable or unpleasant to him, devolved upon practice in anv of the State cour^^~. ^-- ..--:- 
■^^^^^ '-'-•- ^> penormance. he was not the man to moved to Kansas Cit\-, Missomi. where he prac- 
s.—rrc. or to plead on on s-jme excuse or another; ticed law for two vears. and then came to Xew 



?GRAPHIES. LAWRESCE l 



Castk, where 







basT hiins«!f 


~ th- '-. 


for the ci: 




Irir 


re5i5 25 a r. 


banking 




-" " 





50 tllSI ■»D€E Ef-'5_r_^r^ 

'•^ iiHo. his oeUar; and 5tc<re-r>;«:i5cs 



Mr ; 

bank'? rireanizaikm_ 

M- 
i>i Frank Aiicn oi H- 

The-. ■ • ■ • 



5*je Alien. 

Mercer C-j- t i- 
„ .zabeih W ; I>aTid 



at a Q-jCTTii Ti 

Kiar tnaes the prvse h- 

had uerer been rrjia.rkre'i 



- e:.:.i5 tia; 

:n>S. be recrei 



EDWARr 



rr oi tae 



dl the nine c< ias -SeaiJi in iSso. aze^i sicj-: 
vears. in the scborbs iz Roxi»:?T»=s:Ti. acfw tise 
Tti er:rT-5r?t Warf •:•; - His i-ber. 



phia, Sept 23. !^^ i 



. ber bcjfeaivrf 

aiKi death a ntnnber c-j rear?, an f rtarr<-i tbe a<5- 

mer a native « vance^i ag^e •>: eightj-=xe year;. T«s5r:§ s-^^7 '-•'- 

B- aud : gaicer -i'e 
Eiizabeih 1 Ha\-«- - 

W ^ ' 

C3jy ~ - 

at \'. , Later perTnar> 

to Phila 1 here be was a carpeEter aai the ir 

biiilder a few vears, and iben entered the lOeld ttme 
of mercantile basinesiSw in wbicfa he rtrsizmsri. 
-■.v-ave vears. He was a f ' 



r: b-i-cr-e - ' -- - -■-- 

rScei>5a-5-S- wbo 5xe in —-t ^:at 
.. Sr- - - - ^ther cf F " ' " — 



heavily in mnsHits, begimiing tiie aor lowa. in the Tiear iS^rv ":— ie^i at a= ear..» a^c- 

M his stock as tar back as 1856, wl»n peopie Dec 19. iS»>^ He m^ a s-tc « J -hn >t=rth. 



438 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

who married a ^Nliss Wondcrlich. Not long come a permanent invalid. He chose the former 
after the war commenced, he enlisted in the ser- alternative, and became a clerk in the office of 
vice for the Union, Init before he was mustered the large woolen goods manufacturing company, 
into the I'nited States service he contracted a of which Sevill Schofield was the head, and con- 
severe cold ;ind subsequent illness, brought on tinned with the firm a period of fotir years. On 
by exposure, the recruits not being provided the seventh of January, 1884, he accepted the 
with adequate shelter; he was consequently e.\- ])osition of assistant in the office of the ticket-re- 
cused from further dutv. A year or two later in ceiver of the Pennsylvania Comjiany, with offices 
1863, wdicn he draft was in ])rogress, he was one at Allegheny City, Pa. ( )n ]\\ue 1 of the follow- 
on whom the lot fell, but his previous rejection ing year, he was appointed ticket-receiver for 
because of poor health sufficed to keep him from the P. Y. & A. Division of the Pennsylvania 
being sent to the front, which would most likel}- Company, with headfjuarters in New Castle, in 
have proved fata! to one in his physical condi- which city he has since made his home, 
tion. During his short business career, he was a ( )n Feb. 24, 18S5, Mr. Smith was married in 
dealer in cigars and tobacco in the city of Phila- Philadelphia in the Fourth Reformed Church, by 
delphia. He gathered about him a family of two the Rev. Cornelius Schenk, to Annie AI. McFad- 
children: Edward L. and Elizabeth L., the wife yen, a native of Philadelphia, and a daughter of 
of Charles B. Thomas, a furniture dealer of Phil- James and I\Iary (Kells) McFadyen. The mother 
ailelphia. of Mary Kells passed away so late as the year 
After the death of his father. Edward L. Smith 1894, having passed the looth milestone of life's 
made his home with his grandfather, William V>. ])ilgrimage one month and two days. James 
Lyndall, of whom we have spoken above, and jMcFadyen served with honor through the Civil 
attended the country schools until his foster- War, and endured the horrors of Andersonville. 
parent moved to Roxborough, where beginning On his release from prison he found that lie had 
at the age of twelve years he attended two years been discharged from the service as a deserter, 
at the Manayunk grammar school of that town, and this so wounded his noble pride that he 
In 1874 he learned the candy trade, and for the would never allow his friends to set about to 
three following years was engaged in it, but dis- correct the unfortunate error, nor would he do 
continued it at the end of that period because of anything in the matter himself, preferring to let 
failing health, brought on as he surmised by it remain as it was, not realizing that when he 
unhealthful features of the business. This view was thought to be a deserter and so discharged 
of it proved correct, for during the years 1877 that the government had no means to ascertain 
and a part of 1S78, he drove the wagon of a the real cause of his absence, neither was there 
large bakery, and never enjoyed better health ; any way for it to learn that he was sufifering a 
accordingly he thought to resume his old busi- living death in a .Southern prison pen. 
ness, but after about a year's work, he found Four children have blessed the home of Mr. 
that he must either give up that business or be- and j\lrs. Smith: Mary S., who died in infancy; 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 43S^ 

Bessie J.; Louisa E., who also died in infancy; Iioldings, lie lias several tenement houses in 

and Amy L. Our subject and his wife are mem- Wampum. In 1883. the tirm of which Mr. Mar- 

bers of the First Baptist Church. Socially, Mr. shall was a leadings partner built a larj^c lime 

Smith is an enthusiastic member of Masonic Or- kiln in Wayne township, and that was afterwards 

dcrs, and Ijelongs to Mahoning Lodge, No. 24.V sold for a handsome consideration to the cement 

F. & A. M.; Delta Chapter. No. 170, R. A. M., company. He still retains his interest in the 

of which he is secretary; and Hiram Council, Xo. sandstone c|uarry. They also owned and opcr- 

45, in which he serves as recorder. He is also ated quarries on the McMillen, Allen and Mc- 

a member of the Junior Order of the United Quiston farms. Mr. Marshall is a man of 

American Mechanics. thorough-going business methods, clean dealing, 

and honest principles. 
■ — -*•••*" Mr. Marshall won for his wife Edna McMil- 
len, whose father is William McMillen of Wayne 
WILLIAM HILLIS MARSHALL. The township. They have one son, llermon Ever- 
subject of this sketch is one of the leading and ett. who is a student. Mr. ^rarshall is a Repubh- 
bcst known men of Chcwton, Wayne township, can, and has held minor township offices, and 
where he is engagetl in conducting a general has been director of the schools. The family 
store under the firm name of William II. Mar- unite with the Presbyterian Church, 
shall & Co. His birth occurred June i. 1845. ^^^- ^I'lr^'ia" 's a son of David C. and Marga- 
He grew up and worked with his father until he ret (Davidson) Marshall, grandson of John and 
attained his majority, and then began teaching I'llizabeth Marshall and great-grandson of Hugh 
school. As he had lost his right arm in a thresh- and Hannah Marshall. Hugh Marshall who was 
ing-machine he was unfitted for manual labor a native of northern Ireland, left the beautiful 
to any great extent, and so was thrown into Emerald Isle at an early date and will) his wife 
other fields of labor. He sold sewing-machines and children came to this country, making their 
for a while and in 1875 embarked in mercantile first stopjiing-place in Pittsburg. From there 
life in company with William O. Kirkland and Hugh Marshall in company with a Mr. Craw- 
Phillip Fisher, succeeding Jackson & Potter at ford set out for what is now P.ig P.eaver town- 
Chewton. This venture proved successful and ship. They made a small clearing, but were hin- 
the trade of the new firm grew apace, thanks to dered by the Indians to a great e.xtent, and made 
the enterprise and energy of our subject and his little progress until ^^■illiam Penn made his 
partners. In i8()5. the firm name was changed memorable treaty with the Indians and bought 
to William H. Marshall & Co., and the large the territory from them, by that act cstablish- 
general store, well stocked and fully equipped, ing peace between the savages and the advancing 
continues to draw an ever increasing patronage, pioneers of civilization. There were four sons 
Mr. Marshall built a handsome modern home in this pioneer family: John, Robert, Hugh, and 
in 1892. and among the rest of his real estate William, and the work of carrying on the ini- 



440 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



proveinents begun by Hugh Marshall fell to and passed away July 5, 1895. The children in 
[dhn, after his father's death. the parental family are as follows: Elizabeth 

In the course of time, by inheritance and by Jane, who has devoted herself to caring for her 
his own strong arm, John l)ecame the owner of parents in their declining years, and who is now 
four hundred acres of land, and was able to give keeping house for her father; John, whose biog- 
to each of his sons a good farm of large dimen- raphy is spread on another page of this work; 
sions. He was a stirring, hard-working pioneer, Sarah jMargaret, who married I. T. Spangler, 
and brought about all the increase in his worldly and is now demised; Andrew, who died at the 
possessions by his own efforts. He lived to the age of six; \\'illiam Hillis, the subject of this 
age of seventy-five, while his wife had reached narration; Mary M.; and Nancy Rachel, who 
the age of seventy-eight when she was called to died in girlhood. Originally, David C. Marshall 
lay down life's burdens and enter into rest. 'Their 
children were: David C, our subject's father; 
John; Marvin, who lives on the homestead; Alar- 
garet; and Hugh James. Air. Marshall served in 
the War of 181 2 as a iirivate. being stationed at 
Fort Erie. 



was a Whig, but since the war he has been faith- 
ful to the principles of the Republican party. 
He has held various of^ces of trust in the town- 
ship, and is a strong, virile character. It is 
scarcely necessary to say that this upright man 
and good citizen is receiving his just reward in 



David C. .Marshall spent his l)oyhood days and the appreciation of his many friends and neigh- 
youth at home, and when he came of age he bors. 
bought the Roberson farm of 104 acres, a great 



portion of which he cleared in the subsec|uent 
years of his occupancy. In 1837 he built a home 
(in it. and made the whole place to take on a 



JOHN C. OFFUTT, president of the firm of 
spirit of thrift and prosperity, adding extensive <. )fl:'utt. White & Co., the leading furniture ileal- 



barns in 1873, and completing many other im- 
portant improvements. He has had large inter- 
ests in sheep-raising, but of late years because of 
the low tariff on wool, which has taken away a 
chance of profit in that industry, he has paid 
more attention to dairying and to grain produc- 
ing. At the [jresent time, because of the weight 



ers of the city of New Castle, was born Oct. 15, 
1847, in Plain Grove township, Lawrence Co., 
Pa. C)ur subject spent his boyhood days at 
home with his parents, and at the age of eighteen 
went to Youngstown, Ohio, where he clerked 
for a year, and acquired needful experience in 
business methods. He then went into business 



of his years, being in his eighty-second year, he for liimself at \'olant, this county, handling gen- 
rents the farm, and is leading a life that is to all era] merchandise, and was l^urned out only 
intents and purpose retired. about a year after he opened the store. He was 
Our subject's mother, Mrs. Margaret (David- next in Inisiness in Sharon, Pa., where he re- 
son) Marshall, wdiose father was a native of Ire- mained until 1873, disposing of his interests 
land, was born in Beaver Co., Pa., July i, 1815, then, and as times were slack did not again en- 




WILLIAM JOHN STEVELY SMITH. 



HOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 44;] 

gage in business until 1882. In that year lie MRS. R. EMELINE SMITH is a higlily re- 
launched a mercantile venture in Clarksville, and spectcd resident of Perry township, this coun- 
continued it until 1887, when he sold out his in- ty. She was a daughter of Samuel Armstrong, 
tcrests to White & McKinney. In the spring of anil a grand-daughter of Alexander Armstrong. 
1887, Mr. Oflfutt became associated with the who was a citizen of \\'ashington Co., Pa. She 
firm of T)tinn & Co. of New Castle, whicli firm is the widow of the late William J- S. Smith, 
did an extensive business in furniture; after a whose memory is still green with the citizens of 
year and a half's connection with the firm, he Perry township. 

bought out Mr. Dunn, and the firm name was Alexander Armstrong, after reaching matur- 

clianged to OfTutt & Co., and remained so until ity, bought a farm near New Castle, and mar- 

1893, when Mr. White was taken into the firm, ried Catherine Taylor, who jiresented him in 

and it now stands as OiTutt, White & Co.. funcr- the course of their married life these children: 

al directors and furniture dealers. Rebecca: P.etsey E.; Marguerite; Samuel, the 

Mr. Offutt is a son of John OfTutt. and a father of Mrs. Smith: John; Alexander, Jr.; and 

grandson of Jolm r)tTutt, Sr., who was a Quaker. James. Mr. Armstrong continuel to live on his 

and the first representative of the Oflfutt family farm, and supervise its cultivation until his death 

in America; he settled in the State of Maryland, at the age of seventy-four. 

His wife was a daugliter of Captain Cook, the Samuel Armstrong lived during the earlier 

commander of the sailing vessel which brought years of his life in Washington County, and later 

him over. Four children were born to them, as he purchased 170 acres near Pleasant Hill, Perry 

follows: Nathan; James; George: and John, township, Lawrence County. Being a man of 

Our subject's father was born in Maryland, and practical ideas and good judgment, he soon sur- 

came to Lawrence County some little time pre- rounded himself with modern improvements, 

vious to his marriage; he located in Plain Grove among which was a commodious new house 

township, and engaged in farming. His wife, where he lived until 1867. when he passed away 

Margaret Patterson, died July 20. 1878. aged at the age of seventy. His wife was Isabella 

seventy-six years. He followed her to the land Walker, a daughter of Robert Walker, a native 

beyond the river just two months later, dying Pennsylvanian, and the following children were 

Sept. 20. 1878. aged seventy-eight years. Their the fruits of their union: Robert W^; Eliza J.: 

children were: Nancy (Lowrey); Mary J. Margaret S.: Isabella P..; John A.: Samuel P.; 

(Streeter"); Susan (Hamilton); Elizabeth lames T. : and Rebecca Emcline. whose name 

(Brown): James; Martha (Martin); Caroline figures as the title of this sketch. 

(Rice); Thomas P.; and John C, our subject. Our subject's husband, William J. S. Smith, 

John C. Oflfutt married Louisa E. Bovard, was a son of John Smith, who married Elizaljelli 

daughter of Hutchinson Bovard of Plain Grove Stewart, a grandson of James Smith, who was 

township. They have two children, Martha H. an Irish linen manufacturer, and great-grandson 

and Frank B. of Richard .Sniitli, who removed from Scotland 



iU 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



to Ireland. He was a standi Covenanter. John 
Smitli came to America when a young man in 
1822 and settled in Jefferson Co., New York, 
where he taught school some years; he after- 
wards became the proprietor of a farm near 
Dloomington, 111.; his death took place at 
the age of seventy, at Morning Sun, Iowa. 
William Jolin Stevely Smith, husband of Mrs. 
R. Emeline Smith, was born in Jefferson Co., 
N. Y., and spent his early boyhood days in Bea- 
ver Co., Pa., later removing with his parents to 
the State of Illinois. When a young man he 
was engaged as fireman oti a steamer plying on 
the Mississippi River between Cairo and New 
Orleans. His subsequent history varies to a 
large extent from that of the ordinary individual, 
for he became fired by the wonderful stories of 
gold discoveries in tlie West, and although only 
a youth of eighteen years he turned his face 
toward the Golden Gate. Fortune was kind 
enough to smile on his endeavors, and he suc- 
ceeded in accumulating a stifficient quantity of 
the precious metal to make him a wealthy man. 
He then bought a farm of 160 acres near Dixon. 
California, upon which some improvements had 
been made, which were continued by him with 
painstaking care; as a result of his foresight and 
excellent judgment, he was able to dispose of 
his land at a considerable advance in price, his 
speculation proving entirely successful. He then 
returned to the home of his youth, and invested 
in 133 acres of land in Perrv township. 
Lawrence County, and that property has con- 
tinued to be the family home since that time. A 
large and comfortable house was erected, which 
was followed by a barn and other buildings 
necessary in carrying on a farm. Mr. Smith 



made a specialty of stock, and owned horses, 
cattle, sheep and hogs of excellent grades. When 
it came to expressing his preferences and exer- 
cising his right of suffrage in an election, he in- 
variably voted the straight Republican ticket. 
His life closed at the age of sixty-eight. His 
first wife was Eliza Vance, and their children 
were; Nancy, Watson Vance, Ira S., and Ella 
E. By his later marriage to Rebecca E. Arm- 
strong, there were added to the household these 
four children: Maggie, Leland S., Audley R., 
and John A. 

I\Irs. R. lunelinc Smith, whose parentage 
and life has been outlined together with that of 
her husband's, is well known in the vicinity of her 
home as a woman of kindly impulses, and as 
one who is well-endowed bv nature to be that 
greatest of blessings — a good mother; such a 
place in home life well filled is of more intrinsic 
worth than many a position more prominenth- 
before the public eye. The portrait of the late 
William John Stevelv Smith is presented (.)n a 
])receding page. 



WILLIAM PARSHALL, an esteemed resi- 
dent and justice of the peace of Wampum, Big 
Beaver township, Lawrence County, who in ad- 
dition to his official duties is carrying on a suc- 
cessful business as a prominent lawyer, and as 
an insurance agent, was born in Springfield 
township, Mercer Co., Pa. He was a son of Jos- 
eph and Elizabeth (Wilkin") Parshall. Joseph 
Parshall was probably born east of the moun- 
tains in Lackawanna Countv, in 1822, and was 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



445 



a son of William and Jane (Hawthorn) Parshall; 
William Parshall was of Scotch origin, and took 
part in the War of 1812, afterwards following the 
life of a farmer, and living to a good old age. 
Our subject's father was a stone-cutter by trade 
and worked at that trade for thirty-seven years, 
when his lungs became so affected with the dust 
made by his chisel that he went west to seek his 
health in the mountain climate of Wyoming; the 
disease proved too serious to be remedied, and 
he died in Virginia City in 1874, aged fifty-two 
years. He was a United Presbyterian in church 
matters, and a member of tjic Masonic brother- 
hood. Mrs. Elizabeth (Wilkin) Parshall. mother 
of the subject of this sketch, was a daughter of 
William and Sarah (Harlan") Wilkin, the latter a 
daughter of William Harlan, an Englishman, 
who was a hatter by trade. William Wilkin was 
also an Englishman; he followed the occupation 
of a miller and died at the age of seventy-five. 
His wife was a member of the Baptist Church. 

William Parshall. whose biography is herein 
set forth, w^as born and raised in Mercer County 
and attended school until he was eighteen. He 
was an ambitious lad, and wished to prepare him- 
self for one of the learned professions, and so be- 
came a student in Westminster College; in 1872 
at the end of four years he completed the scien- 
tific course. Having been enrolled as a student 
in the office of Griffith & Mason for a year pre- 
vious to his graduation, he now put himself 
wholly under their direction, and after one year's 
faithful work in reading law was admitted to the 
bar of Pennsylvania in the spring term of court. 
He opened an office for himself in Mercer, where 
he stayed until 1879, when he left for David City, 
Butler Co., Neb., where he practiced two years, 



and then returned to his native State. Upon 
once more becoming a resident of the Keystone 
State, he selected Wampum as a suitable loca- 
tion, and he has never had cause to regret his 
decision. In 1890, he was elected justice of the 
peace, and received an indorsement of his good 
services by an additional term of five years in 
1895. In addition to his legal work, Mr. 
Parshall is the agent of several of the old- 
est and strongest insurance companies in the 
field. 

On Eeb. 26, 1874 in Xew Castle, occurred the 
ceremonies that united for life our subject and 
his wife Eliza J. Nelson of Mercer Co., daughter 
of John and Elizabeth (Daniels) Nelson, who 
are highly respected people of Lawrence Coun- 
ty. Mr. and Mrs. Parshall are the parents of 
four children, whose names are: Mary Eliza- 
beth, now Mrs. William J- Miller of Wampum; 
Beriah G.; Clark M.; and Elta J. Mrs. Parshall 
is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. 
Our subject has been faithful to his duty as a 
citizen and has not missed one election since he 
cast his first ballot in 1870. He is a Pcpublican. 
and was chief burgess of Wampum for seven 
years. He was formerly an Odfl Fellow, and is 
now a member of Wampum Council, No. 226. 
Tunior Order of United American Mechanics. 
Mr. Parshall is a gentleman who takes a deep 
interest in the growth and the development of 
the community in which he resides, and he may 
always be found aiding and assisting anv move- 
ment that is calculated to further its interest. 
He is whole-souled, affable and kind-hearted, 
never turning a deaf ear to real charity, and ranks 
among the foremost citizens of Wampum as well 
as Lawrence County. 



446 



BOO A' OF lUOdKAPHIHS, LAWRENCli COUNTY. 



GEORCE H. MEHARI), M. D., the leading 
physician of Wam]>uni, Big Beaver tdwnsliip, 
Lawrence County, has achieved a satisfactory 
degree of success in the practice nf his profes- 
sion in the above borough, and l)eiiig still classed 
as a young man has a roseate future in store for 
him. He lias l.ieen successful in gaining a good 
patronage in and aliout Wampum, and has given 
the people substantial reason to feel confidence 
in his ability as a physician. He was born Sept. 
22, 1857 in Wurtemberg, this count\-, and was 
the youngest of eleven children born to Robert 
and Christiana (Liebendorfer) diehard. His 
mother, when a child, was brought by her par- 
ents from Wtirtemberg. Germany. 

Robert Mehard, the Doctor's father, was a son 
of the Emerald Isle, his birth occurring in Coun- 
ty Antrim, town of Lairn, in the northern part 
of Ireland in the year 1813. Three years later 
he was brought to the United States by his par- 
ents, James and Alary Mehard, who lived for a 
time in Philadelphia, removing thence to Wur- 
temberg. There the elder Mehard followed his 
trade, that of a millwright, and departed this 
life when he was aged eighty-six years; he taught 
his trade to his son Robert, who made it his life- 
work. Botli father and son belonged to the 
United Presbyterian Church. Robert was a 
Whig during the life of that party, and on its 
dissolution transferred his allegiance to the Re- 
publican party, whose standard he ever after- 
ward sup[)orted. He served as countv commis- 
sioner for fourteen vears. He was seventy-five 
years of age when called to his reward in i888. 

Dr. Mehard's education was commenced in 
the district schools of liis native town. Being 
ambitious and of a studious turn of mind, he 



succeeded in ol)taining a college education, en- 
tering Washington an<l jef¥erson College at the 
age of seventeen, and graduating in the spring 
of 1879. His desire for knowledge was still un- 
satisfied, and his decision to study medicine pre- 
pared the way for his entrance to the Cleveland 
Medical College in the following fall; his grad- 
uation took place two years later. A course in 
the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia 
completed a thorough equipment in 1882, and 
he at once opened an ofifice in Wurtemberg. He 
remained in his native town nine years, when he 
became attracted by the advantageous location 
of Wampum, whither he removed, and inune- 
diately took his station as one r)f the best physi- 
cians of Lawrence County. Dr. Mehard has 
built his excellent reputation on his conscientious 
efforts and on his wide experience and surpass- 
ing skill in medical lines. He keeps abreast of 
the times by judicious and exhaustive reading 
of the latest medical works, but at the same time 
does not disdain to emi:)loy a method that has 
proven successful for manv vears, nor to con- 
duct his general jiractice on well-established 
lines, believing it to be for the interest of his pa- 
tients to refrain from employing rather doubtfid 
procedures. 

Dr. Mehard clings to the traditions of his 
fathers, an(.l is a true-blue Republican. He is a 
member of three fraternal orders; Mahoning 
Lodge of New Castle, No. 243, F. & A. W'.: 
Wampum Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; and Wampum 
Lodge, No. 240. Knights of Pythias. In his 
civic relations, our subject performs whatever 
duties fall to him in a cheerful, obliging man- 
ner, and is ever ready to exert himself in fur- 
thering the prosperity of his town or the co\inty. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



\\\ 



■ FRANK A. BLACKSTOXE. a very success- 
ful and able attorney-at-law of New Castle, Law- 
rence County, is a son of Samuel HIackstone, 
grandson of James Blackstone, and great- 
grandson of Samuel Rlackstone, Sr., who lived 
just north of New Wilmington in Mercer Co.. 
Pa. James lilackstonc, one of four sons born to 
Samuel Blackstone, Sr.. was born in Mercer 
County, and early in life moved to Greenfield, 
where he lived, engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
the remainder of his life, dying at flhe age of 
eighty. llis life-C()m])anion. Xancy Waugli. 
lived ti) 1)0 over eighty years old and l>(>re iiini 
the follijuing children: Thoinas II,; .Sanuiel. our 
subject's father: John; and Hannah (Zahnizer). 

Our subject's father was born near Green- 
field, Mercer Co., Pa., in 1826. lie located on 
a farm near the Blackstone homestead, and livetl 
there all his life, dying Sept. 16, 1881. He mar- 
ried Susanna KeifFer, who was a native of Xorth- 
ampton Co., Pa.; she was taken to her long 
home in 1893 at the age of si.xty-si.x years. Their 
religious principles and rules of life were those 
advocated by the Presbyterian L'hurch. Three 
children were born to them, as follows: Frank 
A.; Nannie L. ; and J. Xorman. 

Frank A. Blackstone was born in Mercer 
County, Sept. 15, 1853. His common school 
education was obtained in the district schools, 
and he was advanced at the State Xormal and at 
Westminster College, graduating from the latter 
institution in the class of 1881. The expenses 
of his college education was partly borne by the 
salary he received from teaching eight terms of 
school in the vicinity of his home. He studied 
law under Col. O. L. Jackson, and was admitted 
to the bar of Lawrence County in 1883. He re- 



mained in the Colonel's office about five years, 
while that gentleman was in Congress, and in 
1888 he opened an office for himself in the Clen- 
dennin Block, later moved to the Woods Block 
in 1890. and in 1891 came to his present loca- 
tion at Xo. 72 Pittsburg Street. Politically he is 
a Democrat. He was admitted to practice in the 
Supreme Court of the Western District in 1885; 
he was admitted to the bar of Mercer County in 
1888; to the bar of Allegheny County, in 1893; 
and to the bar of the Courts of the Interior in 
1890. 



DR. JOHN A. BLAIR, secretary of the Law- 
rence County Medical Society, and a leading 
member of the medical circles of New Castle, was 
born in Washington township, this county, Oct. 
7, 1855, and is a son of John and lillen (Guildoo) 
Blair of Mercer Co., Pa. 

James Blair, the grandfather of Dr. Blair, was 
a native of Pennsylvania, and follow'ed the hon- 
orable calling of an agriculturist all the years of 
his life that he was engaged in laboring. To 
him and his wife were born the following chil- 
dren: Robert; James; Irvin; Alex.; William; 
^Margaret; and Polly. In their religious belief 
they were Methodists. 

John Blair, Jr., was also a farmer by occupa- 
tion, as was his father before him, and followed 
it the latter part of his life, his younger years 
being spent at the trade of a cabinet-maker; his 
death occurred March 9, 1891, when he was aged 
sixty-seven years. He was a Methodist in his 
religious attachments. There were given to 
liini and llis wife tiie following children: Mar- 



448 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WHENCE COUNTY. 



tha; Lovina; John A., our subject; Einnia; Lor- 
endo; Mary; and Joseph. Martha married Rob- 
ert Ryhal and has one child, Maud. Lovina mar- 
ried John Phillip of New Castle, Pa. Emma mar- 
ried John Dann. Mary became the wife of John 
Ward. 

John A. Blair received his early mental train- 
ing in the schools of Pennsylvania and Missouri, 
in wliicli States his parents had been residents at 
various times in his boyhood. When he became 
a young man, he returned to Pennsylvania and 
entered the State Normal School at Edinboro, 
Pa., and, after receiving a thorough training in 
that institution, he taught in the district schools 
for four years, and in 1881 read medicine with 
Dr. Mont Linville, the well-known physician of 
New Castle, for one year. He then became a 
student in the Jefferson Medical College of Phil- 
adelphia, Pa., and graduated from that excellent 
medical school in 1890. He also took a special 
course in the treatment of diseases of the eye, 
ear, nose and throat at the same college, remain- 
ing there one year for that purpose. In Febru- 
ary, 1891, lie located in New Castle, Pa., where he 
has met with commendable success in his prac- 
tice, which he has taken great pains to extend. 
His office practice is large and lucrative and 
claims a considerable share of his time. After 
two years' practice he spent some time in the 
hospitals in London and Liverpool, England. 
He is a member of the Lawrence County Medi- 
cal Society, and is at present its secretary. 
He is a firm Republican. Socially, he is a mem- 
ber of Shenango Lodge, No. 195, L O. O. F.; 
Knights of Pythias, New Castle Lodge, No. 404; 
Protected Home Circle, New Castle Circle, No. 
5; Knights of the Maccabees, New Castle Tent, 



No. 230; Sons of Veterans, Oscar L. Jackson 
Camp, No. 249; and is also a member of the 
tribe of Ben Hur. 

In 1891, Dr. Blair united his fortunes with 
those of Luella Muntz, daughter of Jacob Muntz 
of Centerville, Butler Co., Pa., and to them have 
been given to rear two children: C. Hugh and 
A ictor J. Dr. and Mrs. Blair are members of the 
M. E. Church, and are held in high esteem in 
tliat organization as efficient workers. 

In 1897, Dr. Blair spent two months traveling 
through the Western States, to the coast in Cal- 
ifornia up to Washington. He came home by 
the way of Nebraska, where he purchased a 
ranch and herd of cattle, wliich he left in the 
charge of his brother Lorendo, who is living 
there. 



HENRY B. RENO. Of the prominent citi- 
zens of Lawrence County the gentleman whose 
name heads this sketch occupies a po- 
sition of consequence. He is descended 
from the old and well-known family of 
that name. His parternal grandfather, Fran- 
cis Reno, who was an Episcopal clergy- 
man, was bom in New Jersey, Feb. 7, 
1757. Jesse, the eleventh child of Francis and 
Lydia Reno, was born in 1807, and Henry B. 
Reno, the present scion of the family, began his 
life Sept. 21, 1833. 

The grandfather. Rev. Francis Reno, was bom 
in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, in 1758, and 
settled near Rochester, Pa. His wife was Lydia 
Savors, born Sept. 16, 1764. A numerous fam- 
ily came to be reared under their fostering care : 




REV. MOSES C. ALEXANDER. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



451 



John; Elizabeth; Charles; Lewis; William; 
Nancy; James; Thomas; Francis: Susan; Jesse; 
and Lydia. Rev. Reno was a man of strong con- 
viction of principles, and by his position was 
enabled to do much good in the community. 

Jesse Reno was born, as before stated, in 1807. 
and after some time spent in school, he learned 
the tanner's trade, and divided his time between 
that trade and farming after he settled in Jeffer- 
son township, Mercer County. He rose to be a 
personage of considerable importance and was a 
life-long Republican, his first vote going for 
John C. Fremont for President; although he was 
versed and active in politics, he did not pose as 
an office-holder. Jesse Reno stood before the 
hymeneal altar with Elizabeth Bebout, a daugh- 
ter of Peter Bebout, and ten children were the 
result of this union : Abner L. ; Henry B. ; F"ran- 
cis A.; Catherine J.; Lydia A.; John L.; Addie 
E. ; Rebecca M.; Perry A.; and Luella M. In 
matters of religious interest, the family was at- 
tached to the M. E. Church. 

Henry B. Reno was sent to school to acquire 
the rudiments of an education. He was engaged 
in agrarian pursuits when in 1854 he went to 
Iowa and spent two years, and in 1856 went to 
Califoniia, remaining there until 1871, when he 
returned to Pulaski township, and associated 
himself with his brothers in the manufacture of 
Reno's French umber filler. The umber is 
mined on the farm owned by Mr. and Mrs. 
Reno, and the product is sent over the United 
States and Canada. This quality of umber is 
used tiiroughout the States and Canada for vari- 
ous purposes, but is chiefly employed in filling in 
coach, car and locomotive work, and is also used 
to some extent in safe work. Mr. Reno is espe- 



cially adapted to business life, and oversees his 
mill and a large farm where stock is raised. He 
is a stirring active character, and has depended 
on himself to build his financial credit, with the 
satisfactory result that he has reached a flattering 
degree, of success. 

On Oct. 7, 1880, Mr. Reno entered into a mar- 
riage contract with Mary E. Hey, a daughter of 
John Hey of East Brook, Pa.; she was born in 
Bath, X. H. Mr. and Mrs. Reno are faithful and 
consistent members of the M. E. Church, where 
they have a large circle of warm friends. Mr. 
Reno holds a membership in the A. O. U. W. of 
Pulaski, where he is a leading light. 



REW MOSES C. ALEXANDER. The min- 
isterial profession in Lawrence County includes 
among its members as earnest, learned, and able 
Christian gentlemen as may be found in any part 
of the State. The early history of this section is 
inseparably linked with the history of the early 
churches, which came into being as soon as 
there were a few of the same mind who could 
gather together and worship their Maker as 
their consciences dictated. The excellent moral 
tone that is so evident in all the circles of so- 
ciety and among all classes is directly traceable 
to the influence of the Christian organizations 
of all denominations that have indeed performed 
a worthy work in rearing generations that fear 
("lod and love their fellow-men. Rev. Moses C. 
Alexander, the gentleman whose name is the 
title of this life review, and whose portrait ac- 
companies this sketch on the o.ijposite page, is 



i52 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

the beloved and esteemed pastor of the Unity 1812, when she had attained an age of seventy- 

Ijaptist Church of Harlansburg, Pa., and as such five years. Our subject's grandfather was a min- 

exerts a powerful influence for good in his own ister of the M. E. faith. 

community in Scott township and in regions Rev. John T. Alexander was educated in the 
contiguous to his own residence an<l field of common schools of his native town in Mary- 
work. His preparation and consecration for tlie land, and after completing his elementary educa- 
work of winning and bringing souls under the tion pursued a further course in theology in 
Standard of the Cross dates farther back than IJickinson College, located in York Co., Pa., in 
his own l)irth. for his father and grandfather be- the vicinity of Ilarrisburg. His ordination took 
fore him were Ixith zealous workers in the Mas- place when he was twenty-five years of age in 
ter's vineyard. 1842, and he preached thereafter the remainder 
Our subject was born in Cecil Co., Md., Jan. of his life, his death occurring July 7, 1868. He 
24, 1859, and was a son of Rev. John belonged to the l.ialtimore Conference of the M. 
'I . and Annie E. (Sherwood) Alexander, E. Church, and became very prominent in relig- 
and grandson of Rev. William T. Alex- ious circles, especially of his native State. His 
ander. The lat'er was a native of Eng- first charge was in Harford, Harford Co., Md.; 
land ami came to America before his mar- his second in Elk Neck, Cecil Co., Md.; his third 
riage in the latter part of the eighteenth cen- in Towson, Baltimore Co., Md.; his fourth in Bal- 
tury, and settled in the northern part of the timore City, Md., where he was pastor of the old 
State of Maryland, where he was mainly en- Fayette Church. He was then transferred into 
gaged in following pursuits of an agricultural northeast Maryland. l)ut finally returned to Elk 
nature, es])ecially in the late )ears of his career. Neck, where his demise took place. His wife, 
He was educated for the ministry, and as an ex- Annie E., was a daughter of Phillip F. and Mary 
pounder of the blessed truths of the Gospel he (Ward) Sherwood of Baltimore, Md. Their 
passed the years of his early manhood. He was union resulted in the children whose record is 
an intelligent, far-seeing man, and in his business given below: Charles P. is deceased; John T. 
affairs was very fortunate, accumulating a hand- married Eouisa A. Shallcross of Cecil Co., Md.; 
some property, and being considered a very Horatio S. married Myram Jenny of Cecil Coun- 
prosperous and well-to-do gentleman for that ty, and has three children: Walter, Frederick, 
time. He married Margaret Sleigal, a native of and Annie B.; Alonzo E. is deceased; Joseph R. 
Ireland and to him and his wife were born the married Mary Leithead of Philadelphia, Pa., and 
following named children: William J.; Robert has a family of three, consisting of Mary E., Bes- 
E. ; George W^; James A.; Justus; Rev. John T., sie C, and Smith T. ; James A., now deceased, 
our subject's father; Mary A.; and Julia D. His married Susanna Baldwin of Harford Co., Md. ; 
death took place in 1801, when he was aged Annie E. became the wife of Joseph Coslett of 
about seventy-eight years. His wife crossed the Cecil Co., J\Id., and bore him this family, Grace 
River of Death to join those gone on before in L., Roy E., John T., Albert J., I'lorence M., and 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA IVRRNCE COUNTY. 



453 



Ruth M.; Alonzo I. is unmarried; Moses C. is 
the subject of this personal his.ory; Rev. Aaron 
I. married Catherine McXealy of Greene Co., 
Pa., and their children number three, Edward 
E., J. Clark, and Nora H.; Mary L., the young- 
est of the family, is now deceased. Mrs. John T. 
Alexander still survives her husband and enjoys 
a contented life, full of manifold blessings, at the 
home of her son. Rev. Moses C. Alexander. 

The early education of Mr. Alexander was re- 
ceived in the schools of Cecil Co., Md.: he grad- 
uated at the West Nottingham Presbyterian Col- 
lege in 1880, and during the two following years 
attended the Louisville Theological Seminary, 
from whicli institution he received his degree in 
1882. Mis first pastorate was at Mount Rocky, 
Chester Co., Pa., where he remained one year, 
after which he filled out a year's service in the 
church at Wrightsdale, Lancaster Co., Pa. He 
then removed to W'elsburg, Brook Co., W. \'a., 
where his pastoral duties detained him for two 
years. In 1887, he moved to Wheeling, W. Va., 
where he was ordained a minister of the Baptist 
faith, after whicli he accepted a call to the Har- 
vey Church of Greene Co., Pa. In 1889, he 
moved to Columbia, N. J., where he labored in 
the field until 1891, when he returned to Wiieel- 
ing, where he took the last course in bible theol- 
ogy. Now thoroughly equipped as a minister 
of the Baptist persuasion he returned to Colum- 
bia, N. J., wliere he remained until 1895, when 
he came to Harlansburg, Pa., and took charge 
of his present pastorate, in which he has been 
very successful and has had his zealous cfTorts 
for the good and betterment of the communitx- 
crowned witli tiie best of results. His work is 
well planned, and lie is able to get through with 



a large amount of work, because of the great 
amount of experience that he has had in religious 
circles. Broad in his views, sincere and out- 
spoken in his attitudes on living questions that 
concern the life and welfare of the people, and 
zealous and earnest in all that he sets his hand 
and his heart to, he is a man whose influence is 
felt on all sides, and one who will leave a lasting 
impression on his community. 

On April 28, 1897, Mr. Alexander led to the 
altar Mary B. Davis, daughter of George L. and 
Mary (Boone) Uavis of Glasgow, Cambria Co., 
Pa., and made her his wife. They live in a i)leas- 
ant home where they delight to entertain their 
parishioners and to extend a hearty welcome td 
all who honor them with their presence. 



WILLIAM C. MARTIN, hving near Volant 
in Washington township, Lawrence Co., Pa., be- 
longs to the younger generation of men who 
have taken upon their shoulders the responsibil- 
ity of caring for the broad acres of sunny hills 
aird fertile dales, that their sires and their grand- 
sires hewed out of the all-covering wilderness. 
Lawrence County has been developed at a rapid 
rate since the nineteenth century came into 
being, and all the ground that was once gained 
has been well held with never a backward step. 
Mr. Martin, the subject of this history, first saw 
the light of day in Wilmington township, Nov. 
15. 1846. He attended the schools of his native 
place, and as soon as he arrived at suitable years, 
he began his chosen vocation of tilling the soil. 
He labored first in Wilmington township, and 



454 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



later on he partly bought and partly inherited 
his present estate, where he is to-day residing, 
a prosperous, careful and worthy representative 
of Nature's noblest calling. 

Mr. Martin's grandfather came to this country 
in 1805, and settled on the farm, where his de- 
scendants now live and prosper, and departed 
this life there at tlie advanced age of eighty-two, 
having followed agricultural pursuits all of his 
life. The original farm comprised over 400 
acres, and was splendidly situated. Our sub- 
ject's grandfather made many marked improve- 
ments in the property, the large brick house 
being one of special note. He married a Miss 
Agnes Martin, and to them seven children were 
given: Mary; Elizabeth; Thomas; George; 
David; John; and James. Politically, Mr. Mar- 
tin was a Democrat, and in religious matters 
was a Seceder. 

James Martin, the father of William C, re- 
ceived a good education in the district schools, 
and when a young man inherited from his father 
the farm in Washington township of 126 acres. 
He held this place for five years, during which 
time he put it in first-class shape, and was able 
to reahze handsomely from it, when he finally 
disposed of it to his son, William C. Through- 
out his life he was a prominent citizen, and took 
a live interest in all affairs of a public nature. On 
the question of human slavery, he was a pro- 
nounced Abolitionist, and his voice was ever 
raised in behalf of the black slave. He was a 
sincere Christian gentleman, and was for years 
an elder in the United Presbyterian Church. He 
left this world at the age of sixty. He married 
a daughter of John Mills of Mercer County. 
They had nine children, by name: William C, 



our subject; John M.; Mellisa; Amanda; Agnes; 
Elizabeth ; Norman ; Joseph ; and Eva. 

William C. Martin has followed through life 
the main pursuit of general agriculture, but his 
specialty, however, has been that of raising fine 
stock, and he is one of the men who has made 
Lawrence County famous on that score. His 
wife, Emma, is a daughter of Henry Humphrey 
of Mercer County, and she iias made him a 
happy father by the births of seven children, all 
living, as follows: William O.; Harvey E.; Lu- 
ella: John C; James W. ; Ada; and Thomas. 
Another daughter, Nettie, was taken from them 
at an early age. 

Mr. Martin is in all matters of a progressive 
and liberal turn of mind. What he has to do he 
performs in a thorough and systematic manner. 
He is a strict adherent to the principles of the 
Republican party, and along the lines of relig- 
ious activity favors the Presbyterian Church. He 
has never been found wanting in the elements 
that go to make up the most valuable kind of 
man and citizen. 



SAMUEL L. WICK, an enterprising and 
prosperous merchant of Wurtemberg, Lawrence 
Co., Pa., was born in Rutler Co., Pa., Sept. 11, 
1859, and began his education in the district 
schools, when he arrived at a suitable age. He 
continued his studies in Grove City College in 
Mercer Co., and finding himself well adapted to 
educational work, and fonder of teaching than 
of the routine work of the farm, he took up that 
calling, and for fourteen years devoted his ener- 
gies to planting the seeds of knowledge in youth- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



455 



ful minds, liis field of labor lying in Butler Coun- 
ty. Finally, when even teaching became irk- 
some to him, a fine business opportunity pre- 
sented itself, and he left the work in which he 
had been engaged for so many years, and entered 
upon a mercantile career in Wurtemberg, where 
he is at present conducting a well-appointed 
general store that has proved quite a money- 
maker. That Mr. Wick has been so successful 
is due to his ability to anticipate the wants of 
the community and to supply almost their every 
need in a courteous, urbane manner that gives 
offense to none, and attracts those who would 
find an agreeable salesman. He is perfectly ac- 
quainted with business forms and methods, for 
before he undertook teaching he had received 
instruction in Duff's Commercial College in 
Pittsburg, Pa. He chose for his wife Elizabeth 
Fisher, daughter of Solomon Fisher of West 
Liberty, Pa., and she is the mother of one son, 
Charles. The family are members of the M. E. 
Church, and may be found among its most regu- 
lar attendants and most earnest supporters. Mr. 
Wick is a thorough Republican, believing that 
the protection of home industry is of advantage 
to the business circles of the land. He has not 
had reason to regret his change of occupation, 
as mercantile life offers many inducements to the 
man who is wide-awake and alert to the main 
opportunity. 

Mr. Wick's father was William S. Wick, who 
was bound by close ties to Butler Co., Pa., for 
there he first saw the light and there he passed 
the years of his boyhood and then of his man- 
hood. He purchased land near what is known 
as the "Old Stone Tavern," and established him- 
self thereon, paying especial attention to stock- 



raising, and chiefly to breeding a fine grade of 
Short-horn cattle. He retained possession of this 
farm, and was active in carrying on the work un- 
til his death at the age of fifty-one. His wife, 
Mary, was a daughter of Andrew Turke, a native 
of Butler County; she bore him these children, 
eleven in number: John; Sarah; Perry; Jennie; 
W. S., Jr. ; Samuel L., whose biography is given 
above; Wesley E. ; Martha; Ada; Emma; and 
Myra. Our subject's grandfather was John 
Wick of Westmoreland Co., Pa., who was a har- 
dy farmer, and attended to the duties of his farm 
up to a few months before his death at the age of 
seventy-seven. 



JOHN B. HAZEN is a well-to-do real estate 
dealer and farmer of Hazel Dell, Wayne town- 
ship, Lawrence Co., who was born in North Se- 
wickley, Beaver Co., Pa., Feb. 13, 1835. ^^ was 
a son of John and Elizabeth (Caldwell) Hazen, 
and a grandson of Joseph and Martha (Burdick) 
Hazen. 

His grandfather, Joseph, followed farming as 
a means of securing a livelihood, and served in 
the War of 181 2 at Fort Erie. The grandpar- 
ents, who lived to a good old age, surrounded 
themselves with this family: Benjamin; Daniel; 
Louis; Peter; John; Polly; Eunice; and Sarah. 

The fifth son of the foregoing family, John by 
name, was born in North Sewickley, Beaver Co., 
Pa., and inherited the homestead, as it had de- 
volved upon him as the youngest son to care 
for his parents and remain at home; to the orig- 
inal tract of land, he gradually added plot after 



456 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

plot as circunisrancfs would permit until lie horse was shot dead under him at Rocky Gap, 
owned 300 acres. He raised stock to a great \'a., and he escaped from the enemy in the shad- 
extent, and in all his farming used advanced, ows of a friendly thicket that grew near by. Such 
progressive methods. At the age of fifty-five he a record is not in the possession of everv citizen, 
was attacked with Cjuick consumption, and he and those whose lives were endangered are re- 
yielded his life in the struggle. His wife, when ceiving day by day, a little tardy it may be, the 
fifty-eight, succumbed to the same dread disease, recognition due to them for their hard service. 
Of their children, Martha died in infancy and Mr. Hazen came to Ellwood City in 1881, and 
Joseph's demise occurred at the age of seven- bought the McGregor farm of seventy-five acres, 
teen; James E. settled in Iowa; Andrew lives on and in i8go was the first to see the wisdom of 
the homestead; John B. is the personage of chief selling land to the Pittsburg Company for the 
interest in this sketch: Mary Ann married T. Gil- founding of a city. He exhibited sterling good 
lespie; and Samuel and Theodore died in child- sense by selling at a reasonably fair price, ami 
liDod. Mr. Hazen was a strong Denidcrat and urged others to pursue the same course. Hav- 
held several of the townshiji offices. ing played a prominent part in the city's afifairs 
John B. Hazen took charge of the farm at since the idea was suggested to him, Mr. Hazen 
seventeen, and was very successful in its man- has seen the plan for a city unfold from a paper 
agement. After attaining his majority he served origin and blossom out in reality, itself. On the 
a number of years as constable. On April 22, land he once owned are located manufactories, a 
1857, ]\Ir. Hazen was joined in hymeneal bonils bank, a church, and numerous dwelling houses, 
to Sarah M. Beatty, daughter of Thomas and Having disposed of his property on the site of 
Mary (Mahard) Beatty of Beaver County. Mr. Ellwood City, Mr. Hazen looked around for an- 
Beatty was a carpenter and boat-builder, and af- other farm, and found a trad of 100 acres in 
ter his wife's early death he moved to Clayton, Hazel Dell quite to his taste, and to that he 
Iowa, where he engaged in farming and made added ten acres of the J. C. Johnson farm; in 
that State his home until his death at sixty years. 1891, he Iniilt his present home. A piece of land, 
( )f his children, \\'illiam and Mar\- d}'ing in in- twenty-five acres in e.xtent, was purchased of 
fancy, Mrs. Hazen alone grew to adult years. Samuel Parker, and a coal mine opened, which 
After the marriage of our subject and wife. Mr. is now leased to other parties who work it. A 
Hazen occupied the homestead, and still owns limestone quarr\- was another interest that he 
the farm; he was twice burned out. but each time developed and then leased. From his farm he 
he rebuilt. In 1862, Air Hazen enlisted for three has laid out 130 lots. Another farm of 135 acres 
years' service in Co. B, 14th Reg. Pa. \'ol. Cav., in P.utler County is his property, and Mrs. 
and received a thigh wound at the Battle of Hazen owns tenements in East Vale, Pa. 
Chambersburg, and that is the reason for the The following children came to the home: 
pension he receives. Indeed, he had manv nar- Alice J., deceased at the age of thirty-three, mar- 
row escapes in his service as a cavalryman, his ried John Dempsey, and bore him Arvilla and a 




REV. WILLIAM M. TAYLOR. 



HOOK OJ- BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 459 

son lliat ilic<l in infancy; Francis J. died at tlie Rev. Mr. Taylor was born in Little Beaver 
afje of thirty-nine; Elmer wedded Orplia Royer, township, Lawrence County, March 4, 1834, and 
and they have Lafayette, Ella AL, Maggie and was a son of Samuel and Charity (Mercer) Tay- 
Olive; Mary became the wife of Allison Newton, lor, and grandson of William and Ann (Wilson) 
and they have two sons, John II., and Homer Taylor. Mis grandfather was born in County 
If.; James 1!. married .Sadie lioyer; JuditJi ll. Armagh, Ireland, and about the year I7i^<;, when 
became the helpmeet of L. L. Wilson and had a])pro.ximately twenty vears of age, came to .Xm- 
Laura I!., Gene C, Xellie L. and John TV; erica, and settled in the eastern part of Pennsyl- 
Xora (). lives at home; Xathan and Homer are vania. Later in life, with horse and wagon to 
the youngest of the family now living; and Jes- carry the household effects, he crossed the 
sie A., the baby of the household, who died in mountains with his family, and became a resi- 
childhood. Mr. Mazen is a good Democrat, and dent of I'.eaver County, near the present site of 
is a member of the C. .-X. T'i. Post Xo. 164 of X'^ew Galilee, I'a. .As a means of securing a live- 
Beaver Falls, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Hazen com- lihood, he worked out for the farmers thcrc- 
mand the highest respect and esteem of their abouts, and being blessed with a strong consti- 
friends not only in the Baptist Church, but tution and economically disposed, it was not 
wherever they choose to go they are cordially long before he bought a farm near Enon \'allcv, 
assured a place of honor, and many warm greet- Pa., and later became possessor of the projierty 
ings. known as the Reagan farm, located on P.cavcr 

Dam, where he spent his last days in peace and 
" ->^- comfort ; he was born in 1777, and died at the age 

of seventy-nine. Llis wife lived to be eighty- 

TLVX. WTLLTAM M. TAYLOR, D. D.. of four years old. The children that came to them 

Mt. Jackson, X^orth Beaver township, has been in the course f)f their wedded life were: Jolin: 

engaged in the blessed work of the Master for Jose|)h W. ; Mary; Samuel: Martlia; .\nn; Will 

the past thirty-seven years, preaching and min- iam; Nancy; Sarah; Thomas: and I'Lleanor. 

istering to the spiritual needs of his flock in the Sanmel Taylor was Ixjrn in the eastern part 

Westfield Presbyterian Church, near Mt. Jack- of Pennsylvania in Xorthumbcrland County, an<l 

son, ever since his ordination and installation in his younger years learned the potter's trade, 

there on June 12, 1861. Such long and faithful but left tiiis vocation to engage in agricultural 

service in one comnnuiitv is worthy of special pursuits. He bougiit a farm in Little P.eaver 

notice, and we therefore take pleasure in pre- townshi]), and was interested in general farming 

senting the salient points of his life, adding to the remainder of his life, dying when over eiglUy 

such an account whatever other facts of interest years of age, in 1888, his birtii having occurred 

present themselves to us. which will enlist the .\]>rii 9. 1806. lie was a NN'iiig. and later went 

attention ancl consideration of those who chance with the greater |)art of tliat |)olitical orgaiiiza- 

to read this volume. tion iiUo the l\(.'])ul)licaii parl\, of wliicii lie was 



460 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



a loyal member and active partisan; he served ted to the Master's use Jan. 8, 1873. Mr. Taylor 

Lawrence County two terms as associate judge, is a very fluent and convincing speaker, and 

He remained faitliful to the teachings and doc- brings home to the hearts of his hearers the 

trines of the Disciple Church. Fifteen children in blessed truths to be found in the life of Christ, 

all were born to him, and the most of them grew outlining their duty to God forcibly and distinct- 

up to maturity, and lived to be an honor of the ly; not alone in the pulpit does his ability show 

communities where they lived as upright, pro- forth in the best light, but also in bringing be- 



gressive citizens. The record reads thus: Will- 
iam M., the subject of this notice; Ann, who died 
soon after her marriage; John P.; Thomas C; 
Harriet J.; Samuel S.; Daniel W.; Martha E.; 
Joseph I.; Enos M.; Lee; Lucretia; Matilda; 
Addie; and an infant, deceased. 

William M. Taylor from the district schools 
and academies went to Jefferson College, from 
which institution he graduated with honor in 
1838; he then pursued a theological course, 
preparatory to entering the ministry in the West- 
ern Theological Seminary of Alleghenv, Pa., 
graduating in 1861. Before this, however, April 
19, i860, he was licensed to preach, and so it 
was with some measure of preparation and ex- 
perience that he was ordained a minister and in- 
stalled as the pastor of the Westfield Presbyter- 
ian Church near Mt. Jackson, June 12, 1861. 
His pastorate has been continuous and uninter- 
rupted from that time to this, and he has been 
the chosen instrument for bringing many into 
the fold and membership of the church. The 
church is very old, the date of its organization 
being 1803; to-day it has a membership of 326, 
a very large number for a country church, and 
an index of the good work that Mr. Taylor has 
conducted. In 1862, he was instrumental in 
having a new church edifice built; this was de- 
stroyed by fire Jan. 8, 1872, and was replaced by 
a new and elegant structure, which was dedica- 



fore each repentant sinner the plan of a personal 
salvation, free to all wlio will accept of it. 

He is interested in home and foreign mission- 
ary work, and goes to great pains to keep him- 
self and his people well-informed as to the needs 
and the progress in the various fields. In 1878, 
he spent si.x months and a half abroad, and vis- 
ited Europe, Egypt, and Palestine. During 1894 
and 1895, he went around the world in nine 
months, visiting many places of interest and 
note, and becoming accjuainted with the habits 
and customs of many a foreign land. In the 
course of his travels he was in Japan, China, 
Siam, Isle of Ceylon, India. Egy]:)t. Turkey, 
Germany, Holland, France, the British Isles, and 
was an interested spectator of the sights in Jeru- 
salem, about the Dead Sea, at Smyrna, Constan- 
tinople, Berlin, Paris, Glasgow, and many an- 
other noted place. In addition to his foreign 
trips, he has visited the Pacific Coast three 
times, and has been in all the States of the Union 
with the exception of two. His travels were far 
from being barren in their results, as viewed 
from a practical standpoint, for he has collected 
and arranged into superb collections the largest 
cabinet of relics, curios, and specimens that can 
be found in any private home in Western Penn- 
sylvania. His collection of precious stones in- 
clude rare and beautiful specimens of agate, 
amethyst, malachite, topaz, onyx, moonstone, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWREA'CE COUNTY. 



461 



and many others, odd and rich in their effects. 
His geological specimens, including nearly all 
kinds of the leading commercial ores, are among 
the most instructive of the treasures, and claim 
the attention of those who understand their sig- 
nificance. Then there may be seen a Siamese 
palm-leaf book, a Chinese girl's copybook, an 
old German commentary of Galatians by Lu- 
ther, dated 1 534, and an old Flemish missal, the 
characters in which were beautifully illuminated 
by hand before the day of the printing press. 
There are gotls of all kinds and descriptions, 
worshipped by Chinese, Japanese, Siamese, and 
Hindoo devotees; also a Hindoo praying ma- 
chine. To the student of Egyptian history, a 
mummied hand, a quantity of nnimmy cloth, 
and some scarabs prove of vast interest. Many 
rare horns are on exhibition, some of thcni com- 
ing from Aden, Arabia. Mr. Taylor has also a 
fine collection of Indian relics, to which he is 
adding from time to time. A large library of 
choice and valuable books, both secular and re- 
ligious, are not the least of his possessions, for 
he is a deep thinker, and enjoys the reading of a 
good book almost as much as anything else that 
he does. The home is surrounded by beautiful 
lawns and shrubbery arranged in an artistic 
manner, the whole a result that is due to Mr. 
and Mrs. Taylor's own efforts. 

Mr. Taylor was united to his first wife on May 
24, 1861; she was Lorinda Packer, daughter of 
Sylvester R. Packer of Hiram, Ohio; her iiirth 
occurred in 1836, and her death took place in 
1883. Mr. Taylor married again Sept. 24, 1885, 
Sophy B. Loring, daughter of Dr. Loring of 
Springfield, Mass. She volunteered when a 
young woman as a missionary, and was sta- 



tioned for three years, until her eyes failed her, 
in Beirout, Syria. She is still very active in mis- 
sionary work, and is a decided help to her hus- 
band in his pastoral labors. 

Interest in a biographical work of this nature 
is at all times heightened by a liberal use of illus- 
trations; the portraits, occurring at frequent in- 
tervals in this book, include the likenesses of 
many of the representative and leading citizens 
of the county, but few will be viewed with the 
same degree of interest as that of Mr. Taylor 
which appears on a preceding page in proximity. 



HUGH J. McCREADY, junior member of 
the mercantile firm of ^lajor & McCready of 
Wampum, Big Beaver township, dealers in 
standard lines of dry goods, clothing, groceries, 
etc., was born April 14, 1861, near New Galilee, 
Beaver Co., Pa. His coming to Wampum has 
proved quite a valuable acquisition to the bor- 
ough, for he has infused his energy in all public 
affairs, and is highly regarded as an enterprising, 
excellent young man. 

Our subject's father, Hugh McCready, was 
born near Galilee, Lawrence County, and met a 
tragic death in an accident which occurred in 
Big Beaver township, when he was seventy-six 
years old. He followed the pursuits of agricul- 
ture for the means to satisfy his daily wants. He 
was a member of the L". P. Church, a strong 
Republican in politics, and acted as supervisor 
for some time. He was a son of Stewart Mc- 
Cready of Irish lineage. Mrs. McCready, mother 
of Hugh J., was horn in North Beaver township. 



4r,2 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

and was a daughter of Samuel Hopper, her traced her ancestry to Thomas and Martha 

mother Ijeing a Kennedy. (Work) Hennon; Thomas was a son of Joseph 

Hugh |. McCready, the sul:>ject of tliis sketcli, and Margaret (Morrill) Hennon, one of the old- 
was brought up near New (ialilee, and was a est families of Wayne township; his wife was a 
])upil in the district school until he was eighteen, daughter of Joseph and Martha (Phillips) Hen- 
He remained under his father's roof until March, non. Our subject and wife are the proud par- 
1887, when he w-as w^edded to Ida Jenkins in ents of five children: Enmia Pearl; Maggie So- 
Slipperv Rock Church in Wayne township. The phia; John; Florence; and Arthur J. The heads 
voung couple settled on a farm, where they lived of the family are members of the United T'resby- 
in contentment until 1893, when Mr. McCready terian Church, and are bringing up their chil- 
bought an interest in the mill at Wampum. For dren in that faith. Politically, Mr. McCready 
three years he was employed in operating it im- sides with the Republican party, and has been a 
til the plant was destroved by fire, when for a member of the borougli council, 
year he was at liberty, looking for good lousiness 
chances of various sorts. The right opportunity 
came in 1896, when there occurred a change in 
the general store of Braby & Major at Wampum ; 

Mr. Braby retired and :\lr. McCready was taken JOHN N. ROGERS, the widely known pro- 
into partnership with Frank P. Major. The busi- prietor of the Rural House at New Bedford, Pa.. 
ness is large and flourishing, and well rewards has passed the three-score and ten years mark, 
the enterprise and efforts put forth to draw desir- his birth dating back to March 25, 1823. A dis- 
able custom. ]\Ir. McCready has ever strictly trict school education was the first step in pre- 
observed that most important factor in the sue- paring him for active manhood's work. He 
cessful public or business life of anyone — hon- learned the trade of saddler from his father, and 
esty. He is a careful, painstaking and square l<ept at work at tliat vocation for twenty years, 
business man of undoubted integrity and sub- He ne.xt engaged in the buying and selling of 
stantial aliilitw stock of various kinds — horses, cattle, etc., and 

Mrs. McCready was a daughter of John H. and during the late war was employed by the gov- 

Sophia (Hennon) Jenkins, and was one of a fam- ernment to buy horses, such was his superior 

ily of seven children. Her father, John Henrv knowledge of horses and their fitness for good 

Jenkins, was a son of Andrew and Jane (Henrv") work. He has always held firmly to Democratic 

Jenkins, the latter a daughter of Robert Hunter, principles. In 1831. Mr. Rogers took for a part- 

a Pennsylvanian of Washington County. ISIrs. ner in the conjugal state Maria Louisa Swisher, 

McCready's grandfather, Andrew Jenkins, was daughter of Dr. Phillip Swisher of Petersburg, 

one of the children of Eleazcr and Rebecca Jen- Ohio. The only son of this union. Norma'i, 

kins, wdio came from Ireland to America about married Salome V. Shaffner of Harrisburg, Pa., 

the year 1770. Her mother, Sophia Hennon, and became the fond parent of seven children; 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



iG3 



Roxie R., deceased; Jesse H. ; Pliilip S.; Howard 
E.; M. Ruby; Mark M.; and Norman N. 

Viola V. and Cora C. were the daughters of 
our subject. Mr. Rogers and his family favor 
the Presbyterian Churcli, and may be found 
among the regular worshippers in the church of 
their choice. 

Samuel Rogers, the fatiier of John X., ob- 
tained the rucliments of an education in Colum- 
biana Co., Ohio, and then learned the saddler's 
trade. He had been employed at that vocation 
but a short time, when the \\'ar of i8i2 broke 
out, and he left home to help guard American 
interests and to vindicate the right of American 
sailors to traverse the seas and carry on com- 
merce with other nations. He enlisted as a pri- 
vate, and by brave service earned an officer's 
commission at the close of hostilities. After his 



Thomas Rogers, the grandfather of John N., 
was of Irish nationality, and came to America 
about 1770, landing in Philadelphia. His broth- 
er, William, who had emigrated with him, settled 
in Maryland on the Pirandywine, and Thomas 
went west to the State of Ohio, where he bought 
and cleared a farm. Time proved the w'isdom 
of his choice, and rendered him satisfied to re- 
main on that farm, which had blessed him by its 
productiveness with many bountiful things. He 
was a man of good parts, and possessed ability as 
a manager, accordingly rising to a position of 
some local prominence. His descendants were: 
John; Alexander; Thomas; Samuel; Andrew, a 
daughter who became Mrs. Simpson; another 
who became Mrs. Woods, and a third, Susan, 
who became Mrs. Hatcher. 

As is seen by the foregoing account, our sul)- 



return to civil life, he again took up his trade ject conies of a race of hardy farmers, worthy 



and worked at it the rest of his life in New Bed- 
ford. He was somewhat of a politician, and fol- 
lowed the leadership of the Jeffersonian school; 
was a postmaster for some years, and held in 
addition to that federal position a number of 
township offices. He allied himself with Sarah 
Waugh, daughter of John Waugh of Uniontow-n, 
Pa., and seven children gathered about their 
board in course of time; they were named as fol- 
lows: Thomas; James M.; John N., the subject 
of this personal notice: Sarah, wife of James 
Wright of Illinois; Alexander; Warren; and 
Samuel; all of w-hom, save Mrs. Wright and John 
N., are deceased. The family were Presbyterians 
in religous faith. Samuel Rogers passed over 
the dark river in 1872, aged eighty-two; his wife 
survived until 1880, wlien at the age of eighty- 
nine she was laid to rest bv her husband's side. 



men who by the nature of their vocations lived 
near to nature's heart. They were of a religious 
turn of mind and an ancestry of whom to be 
proud. 



ISAAC R. HOUK of Wilmington township 
has labored successfullv in many fields. Though 
only a few years past fifty, his experience covers 
several trades, a faithful service for his country- 
during the dark days of civil strife, and a pros- 
perous mercantile career which he is at this writ- 
ing pursuing at Fayetteville, Wilmington town- 
ship, this county. 

Mr. Houk came into llie world June 22, 1842, 
at a place in Slippery Rock township, and on his 



464 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, lAWRENCE COUNTY. 



father's farm in that township and in the district 
schools spent his boyhood days. When liis edu- 
cation was completed, he was apprenticed to the 
trade of wagon-making, because of his natural 
bent for mechanical work. Later on he became 
very skilled in the carpenter's trade, and was 
known and in demand on all sides as a worker 
in wood. At the first call to arms, directly after 
Fort Sumter was fired on, ]\Ir. Honk was a mere 
lad and young as he was he was fired with ambi- 
tion to fight in the cause of his country, but his 
few vears were against him. In 1864, however, 
he attained his heart's desire, and on Feb. 22, en- 
listed for three years. He saw active service un- 
der Col. Schoonmaker, and Capt. Jackson of 
Pittsburg, and continued to honorably and faith- 
fully wear the uniform of blue till the last gun 
was fired and the fratricidal conflict brought to a 
close. He was captured at i\It. Jackson, Va., in 
1865, and only ]iaroled half a ilav in the hands 
of the rebels. Upon his return from the war, Mr. 
Houk turned his attention to farming, and 
rented a place where he lived for several years. 
In 1869, he moved to New Castle, and entered 
the employ of George Crawford & Co., lumber- 
men. He remained with them until he came to 
Fayetteville, and entered upon his commercial 
life. He succeeded to the Inisiness of Fmma 
Baxter, and for several years past has conduct- 
ed the enterprise with consummate skill and 
steady prosperity. 

Mr. Houk was a son of William Houk, a 
native of Perry t(jwnship. Lawrence County. 
The father received a liberal education in the 
common schools, and afterwards learned the 
tanner's trade, at which he worked for years, at 
the same time giving some little attention to 



fariuing. Later on he was able to purchase a 
piece of land, comprising about one hundred 
acres, of which only some twelve acres had ever 
been cleared of the timber that naturally covered 
it. C'n this farm in .Slippery Rock township, Mr. 
Houk spent the rest of his life, clearing the land, 
and building two log houses, and necessary out- 
buildings. He died in the fall of 1869, aged 
eighty-five vears. The wife of William Houk, 
and the mother of our subject was Fliza White, 
a daughter of James White, a well-known and 
leading farmer of Slipperv Rock township. Ten 
children made up the Houk family, and they 
were named: James; Harriet: Phillip: David: 
Eli: \\'illiam: Samuel: Reuben; Eliza; Anna; 
and Isaac R. They were reared in the Presby- 
terian Church. Politicallv Mr. Houk and his 
sons were old-line Republicans. 

^^1^en still a young man our subject married 
Flattie Black, a native of Scott township, Law- 
rence Co., Pa., and one child has come to bless 
their hoiuc. Minnie B. Mrs. Houk died in 1876 
ancl he married i\Iary L. Rhodes, and by this 
union Delmont R. was l)orn. IMr. Houk and 
his family are regidar attendants of the M. E. 
Church. In political views, Mr. Houk follows 
the teachings of his beloved father, and early cast 
his fortunes with the Republican party, of which 
he is a stanch and prominent supporter. 

In all respects, Mr. Houk is a strong, a useful, 
and an influential member of society. Rich in 
experience and ripe in judgment, he has a store 
of knowledge that covers a multitude of subjects. 
(Jf an observant nature, through life he has been 
a student and a learner, not altogether in vain 
either, if we are to judge from his present at- 
tainments. He is a busv man, but withal a well- 




JESSE S. CORNELIUS. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 467 

informed one on all topics ot general and living where he bought a small piece of land and house, 
interest. He has the welfare of his own country and engaged in fruit and berry raising the re- 
at heart, as his service in the army proves. As a mainder of his years, also paying considerable 
friend he is liighly valued in a large circle of ac- attention to the education of his children. He 
quaintances, for he is ever ready with counsel, was taken to a better world at the age of seven- 
help and encouragement, even to the extent of ty-six; his wife, eighty-eight years of age, is liv- 
extending substantial aid from his own resources, ing at Poland, Ohio. Their children were: 
His success has come from steady purpose and Margaret, deceased; Eliza, the wife of William 
constant industry, and no one begrudges him Lemon; Jesse S., our subject; James, of Minier, 
the position of true worth and esteem which he III.; William of Youngstown, Ohio; Maxwell, 
has attained. deceased, who was a Presbyterian minister of 

Washington, D. C, pastor of the East End Pres- 

™-.^-». byterian Church; Margaret (2nd), whose first 

hus1:)and was Alfred Swisher, her present hus- 

JESSE S. CORNELIUS, constable and col- band is Henry Austin of Poland, Ohio; Jane, 

lector of the Sixth Ward of New- Castle, Pa., was whose first husband was S. Glenn, deceased, and 

born in Xeville township, Allegheny Co., Pa., her second, P>. Whistler; Mary Ann, the wife of 

I^eb. 26, 1836, and is a son of Maxwell and Mary D. Thompson; Martha, the wife of S. Fox; and 

Ann (Anderson) Cornelius, and grandson of Samuel, a Presbyterian minister of (3il City. Our 

Maxwell Cornelius, who came from the eastern subject's father was a Repnlilican, politically, 

part of the State, supposedly Lancaster County, and a member of the Presbyterian Church, 

and settled in Allegheny County, near the city Jesse S. Cornelius finished his education at 

of Pittsburg, where he followed the pursuits of Westfield, and when he was eighteen years old 

agriculture. Of the family of children, that he followed gardening for two years as a means for 

gathered about his fireside, the following grew securing a livelihood. Then for several years 

up to maturity; Josiah; John; Dizart; Absalom; he boated coal down the Ohio River and be- 

James; Betsey; Polly; and Maxwell. yond on the Father of Waters, making five trips 

Our subject's father made his start in life as to New Orleans, besides several shorter trips, 

a gardener, cultivating his small farm on Nine In 1859 he came to Lawrence County, and on 

Mile Island at first, and later gardening at Mc- May ist of that year married ^liss Elizabeth 

Kee's Rocks. In 1845 'ic bought a farm at Mt. Jane Martin, daughter of Samuel Martin, and 

Jackson, this county, and cleared and improved granddaughter of Hugh Martin, who was a 

it with so liberal and knowing a hand, that it school teacher, surveyor, and farmer. Hugh 

easily took rank with the best in the ct)unty, Martin was a very well-educated man of his day, 

with a set of farm buildings that for convenience and many successful men were among his pupils 

and ampleness of room was perhaps without a in the old log school house. His wife Susan 

rival. His last years were spent in Poland, Ohio, fnee) Bennage, and he both lived to be up- 



468 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



wards of eighty years of age, and were the par- 
ents of the following children: Thonias, Samuel, 
Hugh, Seth, John, George, David, and Cather- 
ine. The last three are single and make their 
home together on the old homestead. Samuel 
Martin was born in Huntingdon Co., Pa., in 
1811, and settled in Lawrence County, where he 
bought a 125-acre farm, and fcillowed agriculture 
all his days, also d(_>ing a little carpentering, dy- 
ing at the age of seventy-three. Their children 
were: Elizabeth; Jane; Hugh, deceased; Seth, 
deceased; John, deceased; James, deceased; 
Mary, deceased; Clark, a resident of Mil- 
ler Co., Missouri; Albert R., a resident 
of Beaver Falls; Emma, the wife of Will- 
iam Welker of Mahoning Co., Ohio; Per- 
ry S. of New Castle; Samuel, deceased; and 
Wesley, who lives in Lawrence County. The 
following are our subject's children: Mary Liz- 
zie, who married Johiv Atkinson of New Castle; 
Enmia J., who married Robert Atkinson, a farm- 
er of this countv, and has four children — Pearl, 
Jesse C, Elizabeth J., and Maud M.; Maud, the 
wife of John Marks, a railroader of Lawrence 
County; Maxwell, who married Eva Groves of 
Nev\' Castle, and lias two children — Jessie C, 
and Earl Ma.xwell; Sadie W., who married 
George DufTord of New Castle, and has three 
children — Jessie C, John, deceased, and Ruth 
May; Samuel H., who married Lizzie Hamley 
of Youngstown, Ohio, and lias one son, Harold 
Martin; and Daisy O., who lives at home, and 
teaches music. 

In 1888, Mr. Cornelius was elected constable 
and tax collector, and has been continued in 
office ever since, and has also served as super- 
visor two years. He enlisted in 1862, August of 



that )ear, in Co. D, 14th Reg. Pa. \'ol. Cav., 
and in the following spring at Harper's Ferry, 
\'a.. he was thrown from his horse, and his left 
side sprained very badly, which accident left him 
in very poor health, and he has never been able 
to do very hard manual labor, or much of it at 
a time. He has a nice home at No. 15 Etna 
Street, and other property in other parts of the 
city. He lias won the highest esteem of his fel- 
knv-citizens for'the strict integrity of his life, and 
for the conscientious nianner in which he has 
discharged the duties of the various ofifices which 
they have chosen him to fill. He is a memlier of 
the K. of P. Lodge, antl has filled ;ill of its 
chairs; he is also a member of the G. 
A. R. Post, and of the I'nited Workmen, 
Protected Home Circle, and Junior Order of 
American Mechanics. His wife is a member of 
the W. C. T. U., and of the Royal Templars. As 
a representative and well-known citizen of Law- 
rence County, the publishers of this biograph- 
ical work take pleasure in presenting Mr. Cor- 
nelius' portrait on a preceding page. 



PHILIP J. WATSON, a large owner 
and operator in real estate, and actively 
identified with many of the leading inter- 
ests of New Castle, is one of that city's 
most active business men, and highly es- 
teemed citizens. He was born in Susquehanna 
Co., Pa., July 3, 1851, and is a son of Jeremiah 
Watson, who was born in 1812, and died in 
1877. Our subject's father was a prosperous 
and well-to-do farmer and dairyman, and lived 
late in life in Windsor, Broome Co., N. Y. He 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPIIIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 469 

married raincla Rockwell, uiiu ua> i)urn in land Avenue. For himself he built a house and 
Yonkers, X. Y., and died in 1889, when over barn, and platted the remainder into building 
eighty years of age. The children born to Jere- lots as an addition to the city, and on these 
miah and I'amela (Rockwell) Watson were as lots, which are the choicest in Xcw Castle, ten 
follows: Edward M. of Wcstfield, X. Y,; Henry houses have liecn built; the new streets laid out 
L. of Portland, N. Y.; Albert S. of Westfield, by Mr. Watson were named by him Winter Ave- 
X. Y.; Julia, the wife of C. X. Wiiitmore, (ireat nue, Leasure Street, Garfield Street, Sheridan 
Bend. Pa.; Elizabeth, the wife of D. D. Terrell Street and Summer Street. His next venture in 
of Franklin Forks, Pa.; and Philip J., whom we the real estate business exhibited more forcefully 
have the pleasure of presenting to the readers of than ever his enterprising zeal in doing all he 
this book. could for the welfare and growth of Xew Cas- 
At the age of seventeen years, Philip J. Wat- tie; it was to buy Henry C. Fall's farm of 126 
son left his home to seek his fortune, and with acres, and run through it Delaware Avenue and 
a determination to make a successful voyage, Xeshannock lioulevard. and the streets named 
and to weather the storms that threaten the pros- above, anil to organize a cemetery association, 
perity of the ambitious young man. he set sail on which has, under the direction of a skilled land- 
the sea of business. When eighteen years old, scape architect, laid out and beautifully improved 
he began teaching school winters, and doing car- forty-two acres for Xew Castle's beautiful Oak 
pentry work in the summer time; in this way Park Cemetery. He was instrumental to a large 
about four years were employed, his last teach- degree in getting the electric line of cars extend- 
ing occupying most of his time throughout the cd through Highland Avenue, and is acting as 
year; one season he even taught eleven months trustee for the Xew Castle Electric Street R. R. 
out of the twelve. For several years he sold Co. of the three hundred acre tract of land which 
\ ermont and Massachusetts granite for monu- he purchased under contract with the company 
mental and building purposes. He then became at the north end of Highland Avenue, which 
a salesman for the Appleton Publishing House property will be soon for sale in building lots, 
of Xew York City for eleven years, and in the The cemetery mentioned above is known as 
Encyclopedia Department. He was then asso- Oak Park Cemetery, and our subject is the presi- 
ciated witJi the Bankers' Loan & Investment Co. dent of the association which controls it. He is 
of Xew ^'ork City one and one-half years; dur- president of the Y. M. C. A. of the city of Xew 
mg this time he was investing his surplus earn- Castle, and an elder in the First Presbyterian 
mgs in P.uflfalo real estate, which eventually be- Church, and is one of the trustees of the latter 
came very valuable and brought him large organization. Xot only in business circles is he 
profits. In 1892, our subject came to Xew Cas- a leading figure, but also in church and society 
tie, and purchased thirty-five acres of the old circles does he enjoy great popularity ; in his ele- 
Mathew Irvin estate, which was a very rough gant home, seconded by his capable wife, he de- 
and unimproved tract of land situated on High- lights to entertain his associates and acquaint- 



470 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

ances and to live a liappy, unrestrained life, im- 'J"he mother of H. Ira, was Isabella Wilson in 
burdened with any thought of injustice or wrong her maiden days, and was a native of Wayne 
committed in all his prosperous career from al- township, Lawrence County; she was a daughter 
most nothing to his present position of affluence of William and Christiana (Van Gorder) Wilson; 
and independence. the latter was born in Germany, removed with 
J\Ir. Watson won as his wife and sharer of his her parents to America when she was nineteen 
joys and sorrows Miss Nellie C. Comstock, years of age, and died at the age of seventy-four, 
daughter of Abner Comstock, who was a very William Wilson, grandfather of Mr. Cunning- 
popular farmer and business man of Windscir, ham on his mothers's side, was a Scottish High- 
N. Y., and won the esteem of his large circle of lander, who came to America when a youth of 
intimate acquaintances. Our subject's marriage sixteen summers, and was verv successful in 
has been blessed with five children, who are as farming. He was a cajitain in the War of 1812. 
follows: Arthur C, born July 11, 18S1; Ruth He responded to the final roll-call in 1864, his 
A., May 7, 1883; Phillip J., Jr., May 24, 1886; age being eighty-si.x years. He was a Demo- 
John R., Dec. 27, 1890, and I'rances Dorothy, crat in his politics, and served his township as 
July 26, 1897. supervisor and as school director. 

H. Ira Cunningham when only a lad of twelve 
began to earn his own living and face the stern 
realities of life; he drifted into various employ- 
ments, and seemed to take after the typical Yan- 
H. IRA CUNNINGHAM, a well-known no- kee, for he was a jack-of-all-trades, and was very 
tary public of Wampum and a farmer by occupa- handy in several lines of work. He labored on 
tion. was born in Shenango township, (Jet. 12, farms and in the mines, and for a time was cook 
1843, and is a son of Joseph M. and Isabella in a restaurant. During this period of indecision 
(Wilson) Cuiuiingham. (Jur suljject's father was in regard to his future, Fort Sumter was fired 
born on the home farm about 1813, and followed on, and the call for volunteers was issued. Mr. 
agricultural pursuits largely throughout his life, Cunningham was among the first who enrolled 
dying in 1843, when our subject was but a few their names in the service of the Union, and en- 
weeks old. He had taken Masonic orders, and listed at Pittsburg on Sept. 22, 1861. At the 
was a member of the State militia. expiration of his first term, he re-enlisted at New 
The grandfather of our subject was Benjamin Brighton in April, 1864, and served until July 
Cunningham, whose wife was Margaret Morton, 24, 1865, when he was nuistered out as a cor- 
who came of an old English family. Benjamin poral. He was a sharpshooter for a great part 
was born in Westmoreland County about 1768, of the time he was a soldier and was wounded 
and departed this life in 1843, having followed three times in that service. He was again 
farming as a means of securing a livelihood, and wounded in the battle of Weldon Railroad on 
providing for his family. Aug. 19, 1864, and was obliged to leave the regi- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



471 



nient on sick leave for a matter of several 
months. Shortly after his return, on Dec. 25 of 
the same year, he was wounded while on the 
picket line before Petersburg. 

On resuming the life of a civilian, Mr. Cun- 
ningham worked for a time in a nut factory until 
Dec. 26, 1867, when he married and settled on a 
farm in Shenango township near the borough of 
Wampum, where he has since resided. He 
espoused Louisa J. Wilson, wliose parents were 
John 1. and Elizabeth (Munnell) Wilson. John 
I. Wilson's father, James Wilson, was probably 
the first white child born in Slippery Rock town- 
ship, that event occurring in 1803. Mrs. Wilson 
lived to attain the extreme age of ninety-two 
years; her father, James Munnell, was a soldier 
in tile War of 1812. Louisa J. Cunningham, our 
subject's first wife, bore her husband two chil- 
dren, of whom Charles C. is the elder; he lives 
in Wampum and is in business with his father-in- 
law, William Braby. The other child, Effie, is 
deceased. 

Mr. Cunningham in the years since the war 
has devoted himself chiefly to farming, although 
he has worked at paper-hanging, and became an 
expert in that line. He is a genial, whole-souled 
man, who is not only respected, but cordially 
liked by all who know him. He is a good citi- 
zen of sterling worth, active in matters of public 
interest and always ready to do what he can to 
promote the general welfare — in short, he is the 
kind of man that is needed in every community. 
On Aug. 28, 1878, were celebrated his second 
nuptials, the bride being Ella Wilson, a younger 
sister of his first wife. This union has resulted 
in one son. John I., who is yet at home, 
attending school. Mrs. Cuimingham is a con- 



sistent and valuetl member of the Presbyter- 
ian Church. 

Politically, Mr. Cunningham is a solid Re- 
publican, and endorses the principles of tliat 
])arty with conscientious fidelity. In March, 
1897, he was made a notary public in and fi>r 
Lawrence County. He was poster and folder 
in the State Senate for several terms, and in i8yi 
he served as postmaster of that body. In Wam- 
pum borough he has acted as street commis- 
sioner. Mr. Cunningham's good fellowship and 
popularity is evidenced by his memberships in 
different secret societies. He is a Mason, and a 
member of both the blue lodge and chapter, 
affiliating with Mahoning Lodge, !•". & A. M.. 
Xo. 243, of New Castle. In the Odd Fellows 
order, he belongs to the Subordinate Lodge, the 
Encampment and the Grand Lodge, in which he 
has been a representative. He is a secretary of 
Wampum Lodge, No. 865. I. O. O. F. ; a mem- 
ber of Lawrence Encampment, Xo. 86, of New 
Castle; and serv'ed as deputy Grand Master from 
1882 to 1892. In the A. O. U. W., he holds a 
membership in \\'eIcome Lodge, No. 65, of 
\\'ampum, and represented that lodge in the 
grand lodge. He is also a member of the Junior 
Order of United American Mechanics, being as- 
sociated with the Council in Wampum. As an 
old soldier he takes a great deal of pleasure in 
renewing old war associations, and has a mem- 
bership in Wampum Post, Xo. 381. G. 
A. R.; he has been connnander for nine 
years and is one of the leading si>irits of the 
local organization. 

In April, 1897. •^I''- Cunningham was elected 
to the ofiice of burgess, a position he is to re- 
tain four vears. 



472 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

PROF. WILLIAM N. AIKEN of New Cas- residence in Wayne township, and inmiediately 
tie, Pa., for many years the efficient superinten- after his settlement there he became interested 
dent of pnblic schools of Lawrence Co., Pa., and in tlie milling industry, and built a carding mill, 
now interested in life insurance business, was saw-mill and grist-mill, and was quite busily en- 
born in Wavne township, now a part of Law- gaged at this work in connection with some 
rence County. Init formerly in pjcaver County, farming until his death at the advanced age of 
Tan. 12, 1834. He traces his ancestry back eighty-three years. In 1821, some time after 
through David Aiken, William Aiken, Jr., to the death of his first wife, he married Miss Mar- 
William Aiken, who was the first of the family garet Clark, and they lived happily together with 
to settle in America. Our subject's great-grand- nothing to mar the calmness of their lives until 
father, William Aiken, was born in Ireland, her death in 1845. leaving him then to walk the 
where he spent the years of his earlv manhood path of life alone. In religious matters Mr. Aiken 
until he was attracted by the glowing accounts was a Presbyterian, having been elder many 
he had heard of this country to take up his home years. Politically, he was an adherent of the 
in a foreign land, and to grow up with the coun- old \\niig party. 

try with a chance equal to that of any other David Aiken, the fatlier of our subject, was 

young man of industrious habits and energetic born during the time of the family residence in 

disposition. Pie brought his family with him, OhioiniSoo. He remained in Wayne township, 

among whom was William Aiken, Jr., to a place whither his father had removed since his birtli 

near Baltimore, ^Maryland, where he lived a and located, until 1845. when he obtained pos- 

number of years, removing from there at last to session of a tract of land in extent 267 acres in 

take up a residence in Westmoreland Co., Pa., Shenango township. Here he farmed until his 

whicli was the place of his death. death, being very highly respected among his 

William Aiken, Jr., did not long remain in neighbors as a very prosperous man, and as one 
Pennsylvania after attaining his majority but re- of more than ordinary ability. He was a Whig, 
moved to St. Clairsville, Ohio, where he met and he served as assessor, as school director, and 
Dorothy Newell and won her hand in marriage, as a delegate to the first county convention ever 
This worthy pair was blessed with the birth of held in Lawrence County. His wife, Martha, 
three children, triplets, all of whom grew up to was a daughter of James Vance of Slippery Rock 
maturity and married and raised families. David township, and was born in 1807, and died in 
was the father of our subject. William married 1883. Their children were: Martha; Dorothy, 
Martha Smiley of W'ayne township, and they wife of Robert \"an Horn of Slippery Rock town- 
had two children, William and Margaret. The ship; William N., our subject; James W., who 
other one of the triplets, Dorothy, married Dan- fell in the engagement at Petersburg; David W., 
iel Thomas, and has five children; William, who married Marian Young, and has four chil- 
John, Elam, David, and Sarah. In 1801, Mr. dren. Bell ]\I., Frank, Mary, and Dora; Isaiah 
Aiken returned to Pennsylvania and took up a W ., who served in the army, and died from dis- 





GEORGE C. PRYOR. 



BOOK OF nrnCR APIIfES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. +75 

ease contracted there; William H., wiio niairicd licans, and casts his vote in support of Rcpubh- 

Mary Genimel of Grcensburg, Westmoreland can canthdatcs. 

Co., Pa.; Sarah E. (now deceased), who became On April 6, 1865. he married Margaret M. 
the wife of James Adams, and bore him two chil- Laughridgc of Youngstown, ( )hio. Their niar- 
dren, Henry W. and William X ; Mary J. (now riage lias been blessed with two children: Mar- 
deceased), who married Harvey Palmer of Shen- tha R., a teacher in the public schools; and Will- 
ango township and had three children, David, iani L. The family are I'nited Presbyterians in 
Hugh, and William; Margaret M. (now de- their rcligiiuis attachments, 
ceased), who married Milton Walton of Slippery 

Rock township, and left him with the care of ™»^*» 

three children, William 1)., Jesse, and James H.; 

ami Isabella T., deceased, a twin sister of Mar- GEORGE G. PRYOR, editor and proprietor 
garct M. The family were regular atten.lants of of the Courant-Guardian, the leading paper of 
the United Presbyterian Church, wiiere David this section of the State, was born in Philadel- 
Aikcn, the father, took an active part in church phia, Pa., Sept. 10, 1859. When he was about 
affairs and for many years acted as trustee. In six years of age, his parents moved to the banks 
his political belief lie was a Whig, hut upon the of the Rhine of America, the noble Hudson, a 
formation of the Republican i>arly he joined the few miles below Poughkcepsie, X. Y., and in 
ranks of the new organization. His death oc- that locality our subject's boyhood and young 
curred March i, i860. manhood were spent, and the basis of an educa- 
Prof. William X. Aiken was educated in the tion was laid that has proved its excellence by 
district schools of his neighborhood, and took an the rapidity with which Mr. Pryor has arisen to 
advanced course at Westminster College, which the front rank of newspaper editors, 
was located at New Wilmington, Pa., and gradu- On Jan. i, 1890, in company with V. W. Cor- 
ated from that institution in 1861. Inmiediately son, he purchased the Xew Castle Courant, and 
after his graduation he accepted a position as in 1894 secured the entire control: with the re- 
teacher, and taught in the public schools of the cent growth of Xew Castle, Mr. Pryor has been 
city of Xew Castle several years. In 1869, he a leading factor, and his paper has flourished 
was elected superintendent of schools of Law- and prospered. March 23, 1896, the Guardian, 
rence County, a position he held intelligently and a daily and weekly newspaper of Xew Castle, 
to the great good of the educational interests of was consolidated with the Courant under its 
the county until 1878. He was also city superin- present name, Mr. Pryor retaining the editorship 
tendent of the Xew Castle schools from 1884 to and control of the paper. The Courant-Guard- 
1887. Since that time he has been engaged in ian wields a great influence in the comnnmity, a 
the life insurance business, representing as its result due in an unu.sual measure to .Mr. I'ryors 
agent the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance of Xew- strong personality and unremitting efforts. It 
ark. X. J. In politics, he sides with the Repub- is fearless and outspoken, is a firm believer m 



470 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



and an adherent of a greater Xew Castle, and by 
its consistent and persistent course has done 
much in building up the city, securing public 
improvements, and stimulating private enter- 
prise. 

In 1880, Mr. Pryor was married to Jenine S. 
Scofield, daughter of Thomas and Mary Scofield 
of Reading, Pa., and they have two children, 
Edith and ^^'illis. He has an elegant residence 
in one of the best sections of the city, with a well- 
stocked library, in which he is a hard student, 
although prominent in the social afifairs of the 
city. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an 
earnest worker in the Sunday School. His life 
is a busy one, filled with social functions and 
business duties, and his success shows him to be 
one of those fortunate individuals capable of a 
vast amount of hard work. Mr. Pryor's portrait 
accompanies this sketch, and may be found on a 
preceding page. 



WILLIA^I C. WOODS of Fayetteville, Wil- 
mington township, Lawrence Co., Pa., is an ex- 
cellent representative of the artisan class of our 
population who in their chosen lines have full 
well kept pace with the steady growth and pro- 
gress of this section in every line. Mr. \\'oods 
is a member of that craft, which has. since the 
dawn of history, made the working of wood and 
iron an industry to be proud of. No art requires 
a steadier arm, a truer eye, or more experienced 
and riper judgment than does that of shaping 
the reddened metal into the thousand and one 



forms of usefulness which make it of more real 
utility to mankind than either silver or gold. 

Mr. Woods was in one sense born in the busi- 
ness. His father, Eli Woods, was for years one 
of the most reliable and best known wagon- 
builders of this section. The grandfather, Chas. 
\\'oods, was a native of the Emerald Isle, who 
came to America when a young man, and by 
means of those powerful levers to success — in- 
dustry and thrift — ^made for himself a good name 
wherever he resided. His son. Eli, born in Mif- 
flin Co., Pa., was given a good education, and 
for a number of years, before attaining his major- 
ity, followed agricultural pursuits. Next he was 
employed in a brick yard, where he became fam- 
iliar with the principles and essentials that gov- 
ern that industry. Being impressed with the 
needs of the people for proper conveyances, and 
having a liking for work of a mechanical nature, 
he commenced to learn the trade of a wagon- 
maker at the shop of his step-father, which trade 
he had in three years' time fully mastered. He 
was now of age and the possessor of a remunera- 
tive trade, so he rented a shop and started out in 
the struggle of life at a point in 2^Iiltlin County. 
As his business grew, and he found that he could 
handle work in a larger field, he purchased the 
property now occupied by the subject of this 
sketch at Fayetteville, building thereon a house, 
barn and shop. Here he held a splendid trade 
for many years, emploving in the various lines 
as many as seven hands. Those were the days in 
which good work prevailed. Every piece, either 
iron or wood, that went into a wagon, was 
shaped by the tnisty hand of a competent work- 
man. The timber used was from the best selec- 
tion of the forest and well seasoned. Manv of 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



477 



tlie first jobs built at the old shop are in use to- 
day. EH Woods married Margaret Dull, daugh- 
ter of George Dull of Center Co., Pa., and to 
them seven cliililren were born: Howard; Ed- 
win \V. ; Eniina H., deceased; Mary; William, 
our subscriber; George M.; and Charles E. The 
family was reared in the precepts of the Presby- 
terian Church, of which Mr. Woods has been a 
life-long member, and still at his advanced age 
attends quite regularly. The political views of 
Mr. Woods have been Republican. His patriot- 
ism stood the severest test possible, when in 1864 
he put on the blue uniform, shouldered his mus- 
ket, and went away to the front. He enlisted 
for three years or during the war, and was mus- 
tered out at its close in 1865. He served under 
Capt. Joe Camp, and when in the service received 
disabilities, which entitled him to a small pen- 
sion, which the Cleveland era of economy took 
away for a short time along with many other 
pensions at the expense of our veterans. 

William C. Woods, the subject of this history, 
was born in Fayettevillc, April 21, 1858. His 
first schooling was received in the local educa- 
tional institutions of his native town. At the 
completion of his studies in the schools, he went 
into his father's shop and learned how to build 
wagons, becoming skilled in every branch of the 
work. Liking the blacksmithing part of the 
trade best, and seeing a more remunerative 
career in it, he turned his attention more to that 
line, and as a result has built up the best busi- 
ness of its kind in this locality. Mr. W'oods now 
conducts a general blacksmithing business, being 
prepared on short notice to turn out anything 
that can be shaped on the anvil in the best style 
of modern workmanship. Anything that comes 



from his shop, be it the tiniest bolt or the heavi- 
est tnick tire, is known to be well and faithfully 
made. He employs only the best of help, and 
all the work is carried on under his inmiediatc 
supervision. 

Mr. Woods was happily united in marriage to 
Miss Maggie Mercer, daughter of Hon. Lyle 
Mercer, and two children have come to their 
household to bless the union; Florence R. and 
Mary E. they are named. Following the family 
traditions, Mr. Woods is in religious matters a 
Presbyterian, and in politics a Republican. He 
is in more ways than one a valuable citizen. With 
business acumen of the highest order, he unites 
a broadness and liberality of mind that makes 
him popular and influential. Having an educa- 
tion much above the average, and being a well- 
read man, in close touch with all that is transpir- 
ing, he is a citizen whose opinions are sensibly 
grounded. He is public-spirited and believes 
that the best way to honor ancestr>- and to be re- 
membered with deep feeling and reverence by 
posterity, is to live each day's life in the best 
manner witiiin one's power. 



FREEMAN K. HESS is a citizen of Eden- 
burg, Mahoning township, who has as wide a 
circle of friends and acquaintances as any man 
in his part of the county. This is due to two 
things: first, to his courteous and genial ways, 
and secondly, to his having for twelve years past 
occupied the post of agent for the Pittsburg & 
Lake Erie R. R. at their Edenburg station. Mr. 
Hess came into the world April 24, 1858, at a 



478 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

point in Red Stone township, Fayette Co., Pa. their later years. He inherited the home place 
He received liis early education in the pulilic on wliich he was born — a fine one by the way — 
schools, finishing at Brownvillc Academy. At and continued the work laid down by his father, 
the age of nineteen, he went to W^rsaillcs, Ohio, During all of his life he was a valuable and hon- 
wliere he learned telegraphy. But a short time orable citizen. In politics, he belonged to the 
was occupied in rendering him proficient in the good old Democratic school, Init above all party 
art of cutting the electric current into intelligible considerations was a patriot and an American, 
dots and dashes. Railroad work was the field He held many places of trust in his day, and his 
that seemed to offer the best inducements, and influence was wide-reaching. He and his wife 
he occupied positions in turn at Avilla, Ind.. were consistent members of the Christian 
Myersdale, Pa., and Lowellville, Ohio, in each Church. Mr. Hess was united, early in life, to 
of which places the young operator left scores of Hattie Stevenson, who was the beloved mother, 
friends. While working at the key, ^Ir. Hess teacher and guide to a large family of children, 
had learned all the intricate routine duties that who were named: Martin, deceased; William; 
fall to the lot of the railway operator, and was John; Enoch; Aaron; Fremont; George; F^liza- 
equally at home in flashing an order over the beth; Rosalia, deceased; Jennie; Carrie; Lydia; 
wire, filling out a perplexing ticket account at Mary; and Isabella. Mr. Hess was removed 
the end of the month, or in making notes for from the scene of his activities in this world in 
some anxious shipper. In 1885. Mr. Hess was 1894, when aged eighty-four, and his wife in the 
offered the place of station agent and operator succeeding year, aged eighty-three, 
at Edenburg by the P. & L. E. R. R., which posi- The subject of this history married Miss Anna 
tion he accepted, succeeding Mr. E. E. Gorley. Ryan, daughter of ]\lr. Jonathan Ryan of West 
This office he has held ever since to the satisfac- Brownvillc, and to them has been given one 
tion of the company and to the gratification and child. Caches Elrick, who came to bless their 
profit of the community at large. home at Edenburg, June 26, 1890. Since com- 
Our subject is a son of ^Matthias and Hattie ing to Edenburg, Mr. Hess has steadily won his 
(Stevenson) Hess, and a grandson of Martin way into the confidence and respect of the peo- 
Hess. The grandfather, a native Pennsylvanian, pie. He has a keen appreciation of how import- 
was among the early settlers of Fayette Co., Pa.; ant the interests which he has in charge are 
he filled out a long and jiro.sperous life in his to the public, and conducts his office along the 
chosen vocation, that of tilling the soil of his right lines. Witli all the duties of his position, 
native land, and died full of years and honor at which must be performed with as much regular- 
the age of ninety-three. He reared four sons, ity and punctuality as the stroke of a clock, Mr. 
that were a credit to their bringing up; they Hess is able to look after many other interests, 
were: John, Washington, Matthias, and Lewis. He is an active and ready member of the Demo- 
Matthias Hess, the father of our subject, was cratic party, a member of the Knights of Pythias 
the son to whom fell the care of the parents in and other like societies, and in public affairs is 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 479 

ever willing with talents and time to labor for western part of the Keystone State among the 

the general good. In religious matters, he is tol- first settlers of the region, and for many long 

erant and liberal, having little patience with nar- years waged a constant warfare on tiie forces of 

rowness of creed or bigotry. To the traveling nature: the struggle, with no loss of blood, par- 

and ship])ing public, Mr. I less is ever obliging toqk of the nature of a triunipli with each suc- 

and painstaking. The high esteem in whicli he ceeding year. Jle died at the age of eighty-five 

is held not only by the corporation he repre- years, leaving a name that will live forever in the 

scnts, but by the public of the whole section hearts of his worthy descendants, 

which makes use of the Edenburg station, is the Aaron L. Dicks was a son of the above, and 

best evidence in the world tiiat he is an instance grandfather of our subject. He located in Hick- 

ol the right man in the right place. ory townshi]), and worked in the canal business 

in addition to carrying on his farm, and rounded 

m—'^t-^^- ^ out a career which exceeded by five years the 

allotted three score and ten. His son, Aaron L. 

ROBERT DICK.S, a highly res])ected and Dicks, Jr., began his active life as a farmer, as 

honored citizen of Lawrence County, en- soon as he was out of school. He located on the 

gaged in carrving on farming operations farm in Washington townshi]), now owned by 

in Washington lownshi]i, was born in the his son, Robert, in 18^4, cleared it of trees, and 

above township. i>n the eighth day of made considerable improvements that more than 

December. 1844. lie came from ancestors doubled its value. On this farm he resided up 

who fully earned iJie name of Ameri- to the time when he was taken from life in 1858 

cans, and who took active part in the struggles at the age of fifty-five. His wife's name before 

of sword and plow that have given our citizens marriage was Elizabeth ^Michaels, and to tiiem 

in the nineteenth centurv the liberties and the five children were born: Aaron !■"., deceased; 

abundance they daily enjoy. Robert, our subject; FJizabeth .\., now deceasd; 

The great-grandfather of Robert Dicks was Peter M.; and William J. In his lifetime, Mr. 

by name John Dicks. He was trained in the Dicks was a very enterprising, wide-awake citi- 

rugged colonial school of experience, and was zcn, and upheld Ihe standard of the Democratic 

one of those valiant men who, under the leader- party. His church leanings were with the United 

slii]) and prowess of George Washington, dared Presbyterian CJiurch. 

to hurl defiance at King George and his mer- Rol^ert Dicks from boyhood was taught in- 

cenary soldiers, and entered a life and death con- dustry and thrift. After leaving the district 

test, which forever freed this country from the schools, he laljored with his father and in time 

British yoke. After the sanguinary struggle of became the owner of the estate himself. On this 

the .sword and musket had terminated, the young excellent property he has erected a new house 

soldier took up his axe and began to do his part and suitable buildings, and has his life through 

in tlie battle for prosperity. He came into the Iieen a farmer of merit and painstaking methods. 



480 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



He has made quite a reputation as a careful after his arrival here liad mastered the carpen- 
breeder of fine stock, and made many a tidy sum tcr's trade, wliich he followed in various localities 
of money in that line. His faithful and true wife for some years. Laying by a little competence, 



was a Miss Mary J- Brennaman, before he met 
her and made her his life-companion. Five chil- 
dren have been born of this union; Solomon 
B., William A., Mary E., Elizabeth A., and 
Henrv T-, deceased. The family are in religious 
belief Presbyterian. Mr. Dicks has always paid 



he bought a farm in Wilmington township, a 
tract of land that lay in an unimproved state. 
Mainly by his own efforts, he built first of all a 
house, then some outer l)uiklings including a 
barn, and finally a grist-mill; \\\\\\ incessant toil, 
he put his land in good, productive shape, at the 



much attention to the civil afifairs of his State same time profitably conducting his milling busi- 
and Nation. I'orn of a family that has had much ness. He had become a true citizen of his adopt- 
to do with public affairs, he is a sturdy exponent ed country, and in the War of 1812 served hon- 
of true Democracy. He keeps in step with mod- nraldy in the army which gave England her sec- 
ern progress and has fidl faith in the destiny of cmd whipping, and taught her to respect Amer- 
the nation for which his forefathers suffered so ican rights as etjual to any nation's rights on tlie 
long and toiled so hard. globe. Our sul.)ject's grandfather departed this 

life in 1838, having accomplished far more than 
^-^■^^^^. the ordinary man, and leaving bcliind him a 

sturdy and well-reared family of boys who 

HUGH L. MEANS of Wilmington townshij), were named in order: Henry; Thomas; 

Lawrence Countv, Pa., has, although still Daniel; Hugh; and William. Mr. Means, during 



a middle-aged man, attained a place of 
prominence and standing among the agri- 
culturists of his native section, that may 
well be envied bv manv nlder men. Since 



his busy life, was a member of the L'nited Pres- 
byterian Church, and bore a prominent part in 
many other walks of life. His ]3olitical leanings 
were with the Democratic partv, in whose coun- 



his Ijirth, April i(\, 1848. manv changes cils he was always a valued adviser. He was 

for the better have come over this part twice elected to the office of sheriff of Mercer 

of Pennsylvania, and from the days of his voung Co., Pa., an office calling for in those days the 

manhood, Mr. Means has ]ilaved well the part greatest amount of hardihood and dauntless en- 

that has fallen to his lot in the progress and t-rgy. 

growth that are now in evidence on every side. Hugh Means, son of the preceding and the 

Hugh Means, senior, the grandfather of the fatlier of our subject, was born in Westmoreland 

suliject of our writing, was of good, reliable Irish Co., Pa., wliere his early training was received, 

stock, being born on the sea-girt Emerald Isle. He started out in life as a farmer, and followed 

Full of life, energy and ambition he struck out that vocation as a means of securing a livelihood 

for America, when a young man. to seek his for- and acquiring a competence for his old age 

tune. Wide-awake and willing to work, he soon in various places, finally purchasing an improved 




REV. JOHN A. BAILEY. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



483 



farm of 120 acres from his father. This place he 
put in the best shape that liard work and the 
liberal expenditure of money could accomplish, 
building new houses, barns and sheds through- 
out. He was a man who was in advance in re- 
gard to his ideas on agriculture, and made a suc- 
cess of raising high-bred stock of all kinds, his 
reputation as a wise and reliable breeder going 
out far and wide. He had an admirable consti- 
tution, which carried him through to his ninety- 
second year. He married Mary Livingstone, 
the daughter of one of his most respected neigh- 
bors, Hugh Livingstone. Mr. Means was a 
I'nited Presbyterian, and a stanch Democrat. 
Ten children, named below, were born to Mr. 
Means and his wife: Hannah T-; Milton; Ros- 
ainia; I-'lizabeth; Mary; Emma; Sarah; Perry; 
Hugh L., the subject of this history; and Vm^w- 
jamin Franklin. 

Our subject was born in Wilmington town- 
ship, and spent all his younger days there, either 
busy at home or in the district school. As soon 
as he was able he bought out the other heirs of 
the home estate, and has followed the peaceful 
pursuits of the gentleman farmer since. If the 
condition in which a country place is kept is any 
guide, Mr. Means is certainly a careful and 
painstaking tiller of the soil; every rod of his 
farm, from the orderly home acre to the farthest 
back lot, shows method, economy and skill. So 
it is no wonder that Mr. Means is everywhere 
rated a successful and well-posted follower of 
his chosen vocation. The many specimens of his 
well-bred stock that pasture in his fields show 
that he has his father's talents in that line. 

Before her marriage with our subject, Mrs. 
Means was known among her associates as 



Sarah Moore; she was a daughter of D. P>. 
Moore of Huntingdon Co.. Pa. Two children 
have blessed their union: Mary I-"., and David 
M. True to his family teachings, Mr. Means is 
an active Democrat, and stands high in the local 
political circles. He and his family are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. 

Mr. Means has a keen appreciation of the fact 
that our farming population is the very bone 
and sinew of the nation. He knows, too, that 
those whose fortune it is to be the advisers and 
leaders of this N-ast class nuist attain, themselves, 
the most careful, cool and conservative judg- 
ment. He shapes his daily life with the aim al- 
ways in view of being of the utmost value to 
himself, his friends, his townspeople, and his 
countrv. 



RE\'. JOHN A. l!AnJ=;V. the revered pastor 
of the United Presbyterian Church of Mt. Jack- 
son. Pa., was born near Candor, Washington 
Co., Pa., May 22, 1835. His great-grandfather, 
Alexander Piailey, was a Highlander, living near 
old Eillie Castle. Scotland; on account of his 
pronounced religious views, he was driven from 
his native country, and settled in the north of 
Ireland, where he lived with his family a few 
months, and then emigrated to .America, taking 
up his residence in Carlisle liarracks, Cumber- 
land County. There he lived until about 1773. 
when he moved farther west to Washington Co., 
Pa., where he died at the age of ninety-seven. 
It is a rather curious fact that his wife lived to 
be one hundred and seven years old, thus ex- 
ceeding his own very advanced age by ten years. 



48-1: BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

The names and years of the 1:)irths oi their chil- he graduated July /, 1859. IninieiUately there- 

drcn as found in the nld faniilv register are as after, he heeanie a student in the Allegheny Sem- 

follows: Matthew, horn 1749; ^^'illiam, 1752; inary of the United Presliyterian Church of Alle- 

Aini, 1753; Mary, 1755; Jeanette, 1758; Alexan- glieny City, Pa., -where lie took a full theological 

der, 1761 : James, 1763; and John, our subject's course of four years, and was licensed to preach 

grandfather, who was born Sept. 24, 1765. the Gospel Sept. 3, 1862, by the Lake Presbytery 

John Bailev took up the occupation of farm- of the United Presbyterian Church, and was or- 

ing, and lixed on his farm in Washington Conn- dained and installed June 2^, 1863, as pastcir of 

tv all his life, dying at the age of eighty-seven, the churches at Sheakleyville and New Vernon, 

His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Mercer Co., Pa., and continued over that charge 

Ciailey, married him June 18, 1791). and lived to for six years, giving entire satisfaction as a 

enjoy sixty-seven happy years of life. Their teacher of the Gospel, and proving his abilitv as 

children were: Jane; Matthew; Nancy; James; a winner of souls to the Standard of Christ by 

Marguerite; Alexander: Alary; John; Ann; and increasing the membership of the churches in 

William. large measure. He was then called to Sidney, 

Matthew Bailey, the father of Rev. John A., Shelby Co., and to Wellsville, Columiiiana Co., 

was born in Washington Co., Pa., and married ( )hio, and on Jan. i, 1883, assumed the duties 

Ann Smiley, daughter of William and Sarali of pastor of the U. P. Churcli at Sharon, Pa., 

(Rrownlee) Smiley. He inherited a farm adjoin- where he officiated until Nov. 8, 1892, wdien he 

ing his father's estate, and became a very pro- came to Mt. Jackson, and began his work in the 

gressive and well-to-do man, f(.)Ilowing general U. P. Church with one hundred and twenty-five 

farming all of his days, his death taking place members, and l)y his earnest efforts has increased 

wdien he was aged seventy-five years. h"or many the membership to one hundred and sixty-six. 

years he occupied the responsible position of el- The church was organized about 1820 or 1822, 

der in the Associate and United Presbyterian and the first church home was erected in 1825; 

Church. His wife was taken to the world be- this structure was replaced with a frame edifice 

yond in her seventy-seventh year. Their chil- in 1857, in dimensions 40x50, which is still occu- 

dren included these members: Rev. John A.; pied, and is located a half a mile south of the 

William S.; Sarah; Alexander; James P.; Mar- village. Mr. Bailey has also been instrumental 

garet; Samuel Af.: and Matthew C. in beautifying and remodeling the parsonage. 

Rev. John A. Bade)- passed his early years on He is a man of great power, of exceptional or- 

the farm, and perfected by hard work that rug- ganizing ability, and merits well the esteem in 

ged manhood that has descended to him from wdiich he is held; he is poi)u!ar among all classes, 

his Highland great-grandfather. When nineteen the rich and the poor and the old and the young, 

years of age, having already completed the for he has always a friendly greeting ready for 

course of studies requiretl in the district schools, everyone, and ever looks on the very brightest 

he entered the Westminster College, from which side of life. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LA WRENCH COUNTY. 485 

His life-partner, with whom he was united in tlirifi, honesty and independence they won the 
marriage bonds Oct. 19, i860, was before her honor and admiration of all they came to know, 
marriage P.elle Porter, a daughter of John M. Mr. Pattison's last years were devoted to garden- 
and Isabella (Guy) Porter. She was born in ing. and his death took place when he w^as 
Mahoning township, this county, but passed the eighty-four years old. His wife, who was born 
most of her years of young womanhood at in Paisley, Scotland, passed to the better land 
Clarksville, Mercer County. beyond the river of death at the age of eighty- 
It affords us great pleasure in being able to six. Their children were: David C; Mary; 
present the portrait of Mr. Bailey which appears William S.; Jeanette: Robert I).; Alexander S.; 
in connection with this sketch on a preceding and two that died in infancy, 
page. Our subject stayed at home and cared for his 

parents, and assisted his father in building a new 

«»^*-. frame house and barn, inheriting the same with 

forty-four acres of choice land. In 1855, he en- 
R()|'.b:K'l' I). rATTISOX. This solid and larged the barn, and has brought about great im- 
substanlial citizen and farmer of Union town- provements in the condition of his property since 
ship was born on the farm that is now the scene it came into his possession, and he now owns a 
of his agricultural ojjerations July 29, 1841, and ''ome which is replete with comfort. Everything 
is a son of David and Jane (Stewart) Pattison. is neat and in excellent reiiair.denoting an owner 
David Pattison was born in Glasgow, Scotland, wl''^ knows the value of good appearances. In 
where he worked at his trade of cotton-spinner years past he was accustomed to utilize the sum- 
before he came to America when a young man. mer and fall seasons in doing threshing for the 
He came to Western Pennsylvania, and found grain-growers of the township, for he owned the 
employment in (|uarry work, building the old only thresher; in late years, however, he has de- 
canal. I'.eing industrious and filled with the de- voted his time to general farming, and has also 
sire to provide a home to which he might ask his raised many barns in the surrounding country. 
sweetheart whom he had left in Scotland, he Mr. Pattison married Miss Maggie E. Mc- 
soon accumulated sufficient property to be able Creary, daughter of Thomas McCreary, who re- 
to purchase fifty acres of land that now consti- sides with Mr. Pattison, and this union has been 
tues the farm of his son, the subject of this fruitful of five children: Thomas M., a machinist 
sketch, lie built a log-cal)in and cleared a plot of Xew Castle, who married Lillian E. Daggart, 
for a ganlen. and then sent for Jane Stewart, to and has one sOn, I'aul; Adella J., wlio married 
whom he had been engaged before coming to David Wilson, and has one cliild, Cleda; jolm 
this country, commencing his married life on the D.; Nanny P.; and Robert II. The three young- 
new farm. The clearing of the land went on er children live at home. Mr. Pattison affiliates 
when he had no other work. Through their ob- with the Republican party: he is decided in his 
servance of the rugged Scotch principles of opinions. l)rave and courageous in the expression 



486 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

of them, and conscientious in the endorsement of went into the stock business at the age of six- 
everything he believes to be just and right. It teen in partnership with his uncle Alexan- 
is hardly necessary to add tliat lie is one of the der Patterson. Becoming very prosperous and 
most valued citizens of Union township, whose well-to-do, he invested his surplus profits in real 
growth and development he has been at pains to estate, buying about the year 1830 in Wilming- 
foster. Mr. and Mrs. Pattison are members of ton township, this county, the estate known as 
the old Covenanter's Church: they are highly the Buckwater place, a farm that contains up- 
esteemed in their conmumity, and are admir- wards of 1,000 acres. This is the property which 
ably tilling their position as useful members of our subject now owns and operates. In 1847, 
society, being the promoters of intelligence, edu- he built the handsome and substantial residence, 
cation, and the highest of moral principles. which stands on the place. In 1873 the spacious 

barns now in use were added, thus making the 

equipment of the farm complete in everv respect. 

Mr. Moore had in his day probably as extensive 

an ac(|uaintanceship with the people of Western 

HARRY M. M(!)C)RE, one of the foremost Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio as an\- man in 

citizens of Wilmington township, Lawrence Co., Lawrence Countv: his business interests carried 

Pa., who fully knows the power and influence him over a great area of country, and he became 

which the farming community has in the afTairs very familiar with the people and the resources 

of this county of ours, and who has made it liis of many sections. He was energetic in all af- 

life work to be an upright, respected and worthv fairs of life, and twice in his histor^■ was pre- 

member of that communit)-, was born on the vailed upon to represent this district in the State 

place where he now resides Dec. 6, 1861. He is Legislature at Harrisburg. This position he 

a son of Hon. A. P. and Rebecca (Junkin) filled so well that he could have held higher of- 

Aloore. fices in the State or Xation had he so willed, but 

The grandfather was a native-born Pennsyl- his interest in the stock business was too keen to 

vanian. and followed farming up to the date of permit any political ambition to control 

his early decease, when forty years of age. He his actions. His whole life was one of 

was the father of six children, who were named active work and well-directed effort. That 

as follows: William: David: Jonathan; Alexan- he prospered was a logical result. He 

der P.: Xancy, deceased: and one that died in died on the home estate at the advanced 

infancy. age of eightv vears. Hon. A. P. Moore 

Hon. A. P. Moore, father of the subject of this was twice united in the bonds of marriage. First 

writing, first saw the light of day in Hunting- to Rebecca Junkin, to whom seven children were 

don Co., Pa., where he spent his early days. He born: John Agnew: Anna: Alary; Benjamin; 

was educated in the schools of Alexander, of the David: Harry M.; and Oliver, now deceased. 

above-named county, and while still a vouth After four vears of widowerhood, he married 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



487 



Anna Saterficld, but no children resulted from 
this union. 

Harry M. Moore received the best training 
that our schools could afford. He finished the 
common school course, and then attended the 
State Normal School at Edinl)oro for two years, 
finally finisliin.cf with a business course, 
pursued at Duff's i'.usiness College at 
Pittsburg, Pa. At his father's death he 
came into possession of the home estate, 
and has followed agriculture in all its 
varied phases ever since. It goes without 
saying that a man who lias the care of such a 
vast stretcli of cultivated land as does Mr. Moore 
nnist be a busy person, and he is. The whole 
estate, however, bears undisputed marks of pains- 
taking care and nice management. Mr. Moore 
has a decided talent for details and the ability of 
accomplishing a great deal of work in a mini- 
mum period of time. He finds leisure sufficient 
to keep well posted on what is transpiring at 
home and abroad, and his methods are those of 
a modern farmer. His specialty is stock-raising, 
though his place is well fittcil to r.iisc anvthing 
that grows in this climate. 

Mr. Moore married Rachel McCrcary, daugh- 
ter of William and Xancy (Cunningham) Mc- 
Creary of New Wilmington, the latter a daugh- 
ter of the well-known Stewart C. Cunningham. 
Mr. McCreary and his wife were the parents of 
eight children: Rachel Lavena, wife of our sub- 
ject: James Scott, deceased: Stewart C, who 
married Agnes Hamilton . and lias one son, 
Harry Warner: Ida, who became the wife of 
G. D. Hoffman, a druggist of Williamsport, Ly- 
coming County, Pa.; Sarali, who lives at home, 
and who is known in musical circles of the coun- 



ty as a proficient and artistic warbler and whis- 
tler; Eva Mary, a graduate of the Westminster 
College of Music, and a music teacher of wide 
experience since 1892. lives at home; Myrtle, 
now attending Westminster College; and Mary 
Edna, who is studying for the career of an elo- 
cutionist. The McCreary family are Methodists, 
in their church leadings, and have always occu- 
pied a prominent and respected place in the com- 
munity. Along with the many excellent quali- 
ties which our subject inherits from his honored 
father is a strain of true Republican spirit, with 
which is commingled a great amount of real 
patriotism. Mr. Moore is proud of the nation, 
and proud of the Keystone State. Me lives in 
what he is convinced is the best county in the 
State, and his neigiibors say that he has one of 
the best, if not the best, tract of land in that 
county. His prosperity is gratifying to all. and 
his ready, good-natured ways have won him 
manv friends and well-wishers on everv side. 



AL\"AH S. \AN GORDER is not only a 
prominent and well-to-do farmer of Perry town- 
ship, Lawrence Co., Pa., but he is also a grand- 
son of one of the men who, with brawny arm, 
ready axe and fixed resolve, came into the wil- 
derness that once existed, where there are pros- 
perous and ])roductive farms to-day, to build 
homes and to found families. Mr. \'an Gorder 
was born on the farm of his i)resent residence. 
March 27, 1839. He was a son of Jacob and 
Nancy (Elliott) \'an Gorder. The grandfather 
referred to above was the old and well-kn(jwn 
pioneer, Jacob \'an ( iorder, Sr.. who was born 



488 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

in the State ol New Jersey, but at an early age Nancy was a daughter of Andrew Elliott of Perry 
came west and made his first stand in Washing- township, and her life extended into the year 
ton County. About 1800, he removed into Perry 1884, when she passed away at the age of seven- 
townshi]i, and bought a small tract of land which ty-four. They were the parents of nine children, 
liis grandson, Alvah, owns to-day. On it he whose names were: Andrew E.; Israel; Mar- 
erei'ted a small log cabin wihich he replaced later garet; Louisa: Elmira: Alvah S., our suliject; 
on with a larger house. Jacob Van Gorder, Sr., James: Nancy P>elle; and Robert S. 
departed this life at the age of seventy-seven. .\lvah S. \'an Gorder grew up to manhood as- 
Jacob Van Gorder, the younger, and father of sisting his father on the farm and in the mills. 
Alvah, our sidjject. first opened his eyes in the He inherited a part of the old place and bought 
year 1805 on the home place in Perry township, an adjoining piece of property, so that to-day he 
Attaining early manhood, he assisted his father owns a tract of 122 acres, all improved land in 
in clearing the land, and in 1839 was able to buy most excellent condition. He still keeps the old 
an adjoining farm, which had been settled by stone house in repair, and makes good use of it, 
Mr. Allen. The same year he built a stone although in 1870 he built an attractive dwelling- 
house, the material used being (|uarried and cut house. He also erected some new barns a few 
to size by a Mr. Manlin. Mr. Van Gorder fin- years ago. Mr. \'an Gorder follows general 
ished clearing his farm, and had a fine orchard farming, and has always maintained a small but 
set out and bearing luxuriantly before much choice dairy. The mills in which he holds a third 
time had elapsed. In 1844, he threw a dam interest have also taken up much of his time with 
across the Slippery Rock Creek and jnit up a handsome ]3rofits as the result. His wife, Rebec- 
saw-niill. Here he manufactured lumber f(ir the ca. is from one of the old pioneer families, a 
rapidly-growing country, and did a general cus- daughter of Joseph Alarshall. Si.x chiklren have 
tom work during the remainder of his active blessed their union, all of whom are living at 
days. A grist-mill was also built by Mr. \a.n this writing. They are: Lilah Belle, the wife 
Gorder in 1S50, and from then on lie conducted of William Hazen, now living with her husband 
a heavy flduring business. These various enter- on the old homestead; Nannie, who married R. 
])rises, backed up by his sterling business attri- W'. McElwaine, and has become the mother of 
butes, and managed with skillful care, soon made three chiklren — Ro}- A., Sanuiel E., and Mary 
Mr. \'an Gorder a wealthy man and gave him E.; Joseph A., a student; Jacob E., who is living 
a standing in the community second to none. He at home; S. Jennie; anil Pardella. 
lived out a long and useful life, dying in 1887 at Mr. \'an Gorder has always been a follower 
the age of eighty-two. Mr. \'an ( jorder was, up of the political destiny of the Republican party, 
to the Civil War, a Whig, and since that event He has been too busy a man to ever aspire to 
was ever a Republican of the soundest type. His any ofificial position, but has devoted some time 
religious views were those entertained liy the to the minor positions of usefulness which his 
members of the Presbyterian Church. His wife fellow-townsmen have almost forced upon him. 




DR. ^AK.iS REYNOLDS HAUN. 




MRS. JESSIE P. HAUN. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 493 

He is a gentleman of intense patriotism, and edge and more expert technical skill lias not that 
loves well the land of his fathers. He appreciates intimate accjuaintance with the person's tempera- 
te the full his duties as a citizen and as a native- ment and the traces of heredity that appear in 
born American. In business, he is shrewd, up- him, that are so much an index to a successful 
right and exact. His social relations are of tlie treatment of the case. Dr. llaun for the past 
pleasantest nature, and few men stand higher in ten years has been connected with the medical 
the estimation of his fellow-townsmen than does i)rofession in Kdenburg. and numbers a wide 
he. Surrounded by those elements that make circle of patrons, whose reliance is on him in 
life worth the living, he finds with each succeed- time of disease and physical trouble, 
ing day matters of live interest into which he Dr. Haun was born in Shippenville, Clarion 
throws the same energy and activity which has Co., I'a., July 27, 1842, of respectable German 
been of such valued service to him these many parentage. Soon after he had finished his dis- 
years. trict school education he enlisted in 1861 in Co. 

^ A, 103d Reg. Pa. \"ol. Inf., and served four 

-^■^-►» years, four months and eleven days; he was 

taken prisoner at Plymouth, North Carolina, 
DR. J.\MES REYNOLDS HAUN. This cul- and sent to that awful prison-pen, Andersonville 
tured and learned gentleman, whose talents and Pri.son, where so many brave sons of the North, 
superior natural ability have been given to the thousands in number, fought for their life 
relieving of pain, and to the caring for those who against starvation, fever, sickness of all sorts, 
have been brought into dire straits of sickness and the gross indignities heaped upon them by 
by inimical diseases, is the leading and oldest barbarous Confederate butchers. How many a 
practitioner of the medical profession in Eden- "vacant chair" about firesides in Northern 
burg, Mahoning township, and has been a grad- homes testified to the terrible treatment that was 
uate physician for a period extending over thirty accorded Xorthern prisoners of war in .'Southern 
years. In villages and small settlements, the prisons! Dr. Haun was kept in Andersonville 
doctor plays a more important part in the do- Prison ten months and sixteen days. He then 
mestic economy than in the large cities, for he is was delivered to the United States Government, 
usually a man of superior attainments, and pos- Returning from the fratricidal struggle, he 
sesses the confidence and esteem of his patrons turned his attention to the study of law. and was 
([uite as nuich as the minister, being often con- admitted to the bar of Clarion Co., Pa., in 1866, 
suited in matters quite foreign to his line of and practiced two years; he had. however, mis- 
work, so high is the estimation in which he is taken his profession, so he dropped what law 
held. The family doctor is more competent to practice he had, and secured a collegiate educa- 
judge of his patient's condition, and what remedy tion in the Cannonsburg College. He then stud- 
should be applied to the particular case, than i^.,] medicine with I.saac W. Mesce of .Shappen- 
one, wdio with perhai)s greater medical knowl- ville. and graduated from the lefferson Medical 



494 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

College of Philailelidiia in 1867. lie began his live leaf from the plants in the fields along the 

practice with Dr. I. W. Mesce in Sliipi)enville, route, and make it into a rude cigar, and these 

where he remained seven years; he was then a were called after the wagon "canastogas," which 

physician in Allegheny City seven years, in Elk became shortened to the present name. Thomas 

City five years, and in ( Jrcville six years. In Haun, our subject's father, settled in Clarion 

1887, he came to Edenburg, and succeeded the County, at Shippenville, where he spent his last 

vcneraljle L^r. E. M. Ilgenfritz, and at once pro- years in retirement, dving at the age of eighty- 

ceeded to build up and extend that practice. He six in 1879; his liive for his equine friends kept 

has been very successful, and is entitled to be up to the last, and he was never without at least 

called one of the most popular men in the vil- one horse. His wife, Rachel, who was a daugh- 

lage or in the township. ter of Jonathan Morris, lived until 1891, when 

Henry Haun, his grandfather, was a native of she fell into the last sleep which knows no wak- 

Hesse Cassel, Germany; he was taken prisoner ing at the age of eighty-cine. ( )f eight children 

while serving in a revolt against the govern- born to them, three lived to grciw t(j manhood: 

ment, and was imprisoned for eight years, his Henry of Butler County; John of Callensburg, 

wife and children being left to ilo the best they Clarion Co., Pa.; and James R., our subject, 

could to keep soul and body together. His Thomas was a Whig in politics, and held many 

brother Henrv decided to come to America, and of the minor offices of the township. During the 

to relieve the poor mother of the support of part later days of slavery, wdien the Abolitionists es- 

of her familv, he l)rought three of the children tablished the underground railway for the trans- 

with him, and settled at XA'ilkesbarre. Pa. < )ne portation of slaves to Canada, Mr. Haun kept a 

of these boys, who was only fourteen days old station, and was instrumental in helping many a 

when they crossed the sea, was Thomas Haun, poor black to freedom. 

Jr., the father of Dr. Haun. He was a lover of Dr, Haun married as his first wife Miss Clara 
horses from boyhood, and contrived it that in A. Dunkk. daughter of Peter Dunkle of Clarion 
all his occupations horses should be his com- County; she died in 1875, aged twenty-six years, 
panions. As he approached manhood he be- leaving two children behind — Minnie, who mar- 
came a teamster, hauling what was called a ried Leslie Stewart, and has four children, Onda, 
"canastoga" wagon from Philadelphia to Pitts- Ruth, Coral Haun. and one that died in infancy; 
burg, transporting merchandise one way and Sally, who married B. D. Wood and has one 
provisions on the return trip; it took eighty- child, Donolly. Our subject was united the 
three davs to make the round trip, crossing the second time in matrimonial bonds to Jessie Pow- 
mountains twice. The "stogies," so well known ell, daughter of Andrew and Mertella (Stewart) 
to users of the "weed" in and about Pittsburg, Powell of Lawrence County. Andrew Powell 
have their origin connected with the canastoga was a farmer all his life; his wife still survives 
wagon; it runs like this, that the teamsters on him, aged 68 years. The following children were 
these wagons used to take a handful of the na- born to them, all of whom are living but one: 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



495 



Fidelia; Elcethia; Floyd; Elzeta; Rosetta; lona; 
Jessie P.; Dora; Mertella; Adelaide; Clyde; 
Lyle; and Roxanna, who died at twelve years 
of age. This second union has been blessed with 
one daughter, Elzeta Maud, born in Edenburg, 
June 2, 1887. Dr. Haun is a stanch Republican; 
he attends the M. E. Church with his wife, who 
is a member, but he has never made any pro- 
fession of religion. lie is a member of the I. O. 
O. F., Lodge No. 226 of Clarion Co., Pa.; and 
is a past grand and royal patron of the Encamp- 
ment No. 90. He was a charter member of the 
G. A. R. Post, No. 326 of Wampum, this county, 
and still retains an activce membership. 

As a talented and worthy member of that most 
honorable of all professions, medicine, it gives 
us pleasure to present Dr. Haun's portrait on a 
preceding page, and with it also appears an ex- 
cellent likeness of his most estimable wife and 
helpmeet, Mrs. Jessie P. Haun. 



PARKER SIMISON. This leading citizen 
of \'olant, Washington townshi]), who now in 
the sunset of his life, having provided liberally 
for all his children, is in the main leading a re- 
tired life at his residence in the village, although 
engaging still to some extent in agricultural 
labors on his two farms, was born at Xcw Gar- 
den, Columbiana Co., Ohio, May 4, 1828. He 
was a son of Robert E. Simison, who was born 
at Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pa. 

Our subject's father received the customary 
district school education, and upon its comple- 
tion, learned tlie hatter's trade, serving an ap- 



prenticeship of several years. He then went to 
the State of Ohio and worked at his trade at 
various places as a journeyman, but at last tiring 
of the confinement he embarked in farming in 
Portage Co., Ohio, where he continued to be 
numbered among the citizens of that county un- 
til his death at the age of fifty-six. He was a 
self-educateel man in many respects, and what 
he knew was chiefly obtained from books and 
experience, particularly from the latter source. 
Blessed with an intelligence far above the ordin- 
ary run, foresighted in his judgment, and cool 
in his calculations, we see in him many of the 
traits that show so plainly in his son, the dis- 
tinguished subject of this sketch. In his polit- 
ical bearings, it may be said that he never desert- 
ed the Republican standard, voting the straight 
ticket as a loyal member of the party. His wife 
died at the age of sixty-six. 

Parker Simison, after obtaining as much of an 
education as was practicable in the neighboring 
district schools of his native place, came to Mer- 
cer County and hired out to a farmer, with whom 
he then remained about three years. Starting 
"on his own hook," he rented a farm in that 
county, intending to purchase the property, so 
soon as he became equal to the task. After four 
years of renting, the farm became his by i)ur- 
chase, wiiich was known as the "Old Herd 
Farm" in Mercer County, partly improved, but 
for the most part in a state of semi-wildness. 
While he owned the place, he made a number of 
improvements, lasting and extensive in charac- 
ter, princi])ally comprised in fencing and in 
ditching. He sold this property about 1866, and 
then bought a mill in connection with a small 
farm in \\'ilmiiigtnn. Pa., and spent $1,500 for 



490 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCH COUNTY. 



necessary improvements, which placed the mill 
and farm in the best possible shape. Meanwhile 
he bought a farm two miles from the mill, and 
turned the milling property over to his two old- 
est sons, removing to the new farm with the re- 



Miss Esther E. McKean, daughter of William 
McKean, accepteil his invitation to share his 
heart and home, and in the course of their mar- 
ried life has presented him with ten children, 
namely: Mary E., who marrietl J. Backup of 



mainder of the familv. He lived on the farm Slieaklevville, Pa., and has three children — Guv 



one year, and sold it and with the proceeds next 
bought one liundred acres adjoining the farm he 
had sold in Wilmington township, this county, 



P., Earl, and Enmia; ^Villiam E., who formed 
a matrimonial alliance with Effie Crooks, and 
has four children — Charley, Parker, John W., 



and remained there one year. He then came to and Ruth; Barney, who married Ada McAIillen, 
Volant and purchased two small farms and the and has a family of three children — Cora, Edna, 
Volant milling property, which a little later he and Frank; Margaret, who became the wife of 
turned over to his two sons, David and Patrick. James McMahon; David, who married Tillie J. 
This is the splendid record of a man who was Jordan, and has two children — Paul J. and Ray- 
alive to the opportunities of life that lie around mond P.; Patrick R., who married Delia Slo- 
on every hand, awaiting the clever man wdio cum, who died and left him one daughter, Jen- 
knows the value of things to seize them and nie; Jennie, deceased; Carrie, who became the 
make the most of them. He seems to be pecu- wife of Dr. J. P. Kirk of Wampum, Lawrence 
liarly gifted with the power to turn, every thing County; and Jack (i., who lives at home with his 
into gold, but this power on analysis resolves it- parents. The family have always been faithful 
self into a correct knowledge of the value of de- attendants of the M. E. Church, and the children 



were brought up to reverence its faith. 



predated property, and of the value of improve- 
ments, and into an ability to seize the proper 

moment and strike when the iron is hot. He «*.».*«. 

ranks high among his follow-townsmen as a 

shrewd business man, whose success has been JOHN THOMAS, one of the leading and 

l)rought about only in the most open and legiti- most prosperous agriculturists of Lawrence 

mate manner. He is alert and zealous in build- County, engaged in carrying on general farming 

ing up his part of the county, and thinks there is operations on the farm, which he inherited from 

no such country for farming as may be found in his father in Perr\' township, was born in the 

Lawrence and the neighboring counties, in above township on the aforementioned farm 

which opinion he is supported by every citizen ;May 9, 1838. 

who is alive to the best interests of this section Daniel Thomas, the father of the subject of 
of the State. He is stanch and steadfast in his this notice, was born in Beaver Co., Pa., and re- 
advocacy of Republican political doctrines, and ceived his education in the common schools, to 
is known as a skilled politician, although he has which w^as added the advanages desived from 
never sought political office for himself. a course in New Brighton Academy. In 1830, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 4!t7 

he selected the land, one hundred acres in area. John Thomas enjoys the niiiqne distinction of 
in Perry township, which is now fanned by his having passed his entire Hie on the homestead 
son John. The same year he built a house, and which was bequeathed to him by his father. Dur- 
afterwards the outbuildings suitable for farm ing the last twenty years, he has wrought various 
work. Hearty and rugged of constitution, he changes, and made the place modern in its ap- 
enjoyed a delightful old age, and died at the age ])ointmcnts in every resjicct. His specialty is 
of ninety years. He stood well in the connnu- breeding fine draught horses, and he never has 
nity, as he was industrious, enterprising, and to hunt far for a market for his products. Sheep- 
public-spirited, and his dealings always pros- raising has also claimed a share of his time, and 
pered, no matter in what line; being a man of he has always maintained a small dairy since he 
genial, warm nature, he was liked by his neigh- has been identified with the agricultural inter- 
bors, who considered him one of the best men ests of his comnumily. 

in the world, and worthy of the highest confi- On June 27. 1871, were celebrated the nuptials 
dence and esteem. He took a lady of Wayne of John Thomas and Elizabeth Stunkard, a 
township, Lawrence County, to be his conipan- daughter of William Stunkard of Hickory town- 
ion through the walks and trials of life, Dorothy ship. These three daughters grace their home: 
Aiken, daughter of William Aiken, and they Maragret B.; Dorothy M.; and Anna E. Relig- 
reared the following children: William; John: iouslv they incline toward the United Presbyter- 
whose biography is recorded here; Sarah; Elam; ian Church, and politically Mr. Thomas affiliates 
and David. The family were very regular at- with the Republican party. Mr. Thomas has no 
tendants of the L'nited Presbvterian Church. bigotry nor narrow-mindedness in his make-up; 

Elam Thomas, the grandsire of John, was he is broad and liberal in his views, and although 

born near I>altimore, Maryland, and followed he expresses himself strongly on subjects in 

agricultural callings iluring his lite, his death which he is interested, he respects the rights of 

taking place at the age of sixty-three. During other ])eoi)lc to entertain op])ositc opinions, 

the Indian War he served for nine months in the Charitable and magnanimous, he invites no 

U. S. Army, and received a pension for such quarrels, and should a breach be opened between 

services as he rendered during that period. him and one of his acquaintances, he is always 

Daniel Thomas, the father of Elam, and ready to take the first step toward a reconcilia- 
great-grandfather of John, was a hardy Welsh- tion. That he is popular and a well-liked person- 
man, who left his native coimtry to mend his lot age is attested by the fact that he has served as 
in life in the new re])ublic over the seas. He set- school director three terms, has been assessor 
tied near P>altimore, Md., and reared his family two terms, judge of election one term, and in 
there. In his younger days he taught school. iSy- officiated in the capacity of overseer of the 
but his life was spent chiefly in the culture of the poor. Mr. Thomas is very influential in Perry 
soil, slave-labor being almost exclusively used, townshi]), and commands the esteem and respect 
a not unconnnon thing in those davs. of all with whom he comes in contact. 



498 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 

FREDERICK E. PUlSTER, editor and pro- in Lieorgetown, ( )hio, as it appeared in the 
prietor of the Ellvvood Citizen, a weekly paper Cleveland World; these are two well-known as- 
of Ellwood City, Pa., was born May 9, 1837, in signments that were given him, but he had many 
Wetzlar, Rhenish Prussia, and is a son of John others, equally important, which space forljids 
and Elizabeth (Shaefer) Poister, being a descen- ns mentioning. He came to Ellwood City in 
dant of old and representative families. John 1894, and occupied the editorial chair at the 
Poister, his father, served in the regular arm\- in IVIotor office for several weeks, and in June of 
the 29th infantry at Koblentz, and after his term that \ear he formed a partnership with J. H. 
was over was an officer in the provincial court at Ash, and founded the Ellwood Citizen, a non- 
Wetzlar. In December, 1862, having lost his partisan v^'eekly of eight pages. At the expira- 
wife, he resigned his position and brought his tion of one year, Mr. Poister purchased his part- 
four children, two sc)ns and two daughters, with ner's interest, and assumed entire charge of the 
him to America, and settled at Galion, Ohio, sheet. A building suitable for the business was 
where he resided until his death in Nov., 1896. needed quite badly, and so in 1895 ■^I'"- Roister 

It was the intention of Mr. Poister to become erected a handsome brick block, two stories 

an artist, and with this end in view, he studied high, on Lawrence Avenue near Eighth Street; 

with several prominent painters, two of whom the first floor is used for a store, and the second 

had spent years in Rome, Munich, Dresden and for the printing establishment. Mr. Poister, with 

I'aris, and was therefore far advanced in free- the idea of making his printing-house superior 

hand drawing, when he found that his means to anything of its kind in Ellwood City, and 

would not prove adequate to the demands upon equal to anything in the county, put in the best 

them, so he diverted his attention to photo- modern niachinerv. and has a full ecjuipment 

graphy, which profession he followed with ordin- for printing and jolj work of various kinds; all 

ary success for several years. While engaged the power that is useil in the building is gener- 

at this work, though scarcely more than a youth ated by a water-motor, and this shows in part 

in his early twenties, he did some work in pre- the up-to-dateness of the ecjuipment. The Citi- 

paring special articles for the daily papers, and zen is one of the best papers in the county, has 

his increasing reputation led him into the field a weekly circulation of one thousand copies, is 

of his present success. He was soon recognized devoted to the welfare of Ellwood City and the 

as a writer of real al^ility, as his style was pleas- surrounding country, and is of great value to 

ing and of a nature to hold the reader, and his advertisers, as it exerts a deep influence on the 

thought was of tlie best and stated in the most reading public, as a reliable, newsy sheet. Al- 

attractive manner, and because of the demand though his views are not expresse<l in the edi- 

for his articles he was given responsible posi- torials, Mr. Poister is a Republican, and has 

tions to fill. He assisted in writing an earlv his- come to be one of the foremost men of the town, 

tory of the State of Ohio, and was the first to He has served in the council one term. There is 

write up the narrative of Grant's Boyhood Days a good field in journalism for a young man of 




GERSHUM B. INGHAM. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, lAWRENCE COUNTY. 



501 



Mr. I'oister's type, and as lie is now in his prime, 
he will no doubt score more brilliant successes in 
the future, and justify the promise of his begin- 
ning as a writer. 

]Mr. Poster married Miss Carrie E. Seymour. 
a former teacher in the public schools at Kent, 
Ohio, whose parents arc Andrew and Mary (Sei- 
bold) Seymour, the latter deceased, of that town, 
and they have three children to brighten their 
home : Bessie G. ; Clyde A. : and Ralph S. Our 
subject and wife are estimable people, and min- 
gle in the best society, being held in admiration 
antl respect by a large circle of friends. 



GERSHUM B. IXGUAM. Ranking among 
the important products of Lawrence County is 
the lieaver \'alley sandstone, which is quarried 
in large quantities for building purposes in the 
southern part of the county near Chewton; the 
heaviest producer and dealer in this excellent 
buikling material is the Consolidated Stone & 
Mining Co., which lias extensive quarries in 
Beaver \'alley between Chewton and Rock 
Point, Pa., along the line of the Pennsylvania 
railroad. This company was organized in 1881 
by Gershum B. Ingham, whose personal history 
we are now relating, and his two brothers, Corn- 
er E. and John G. They are the largest dealers 
in sandstone in Western Pennsylvania, and also 
deal largely in all other building materials, in- 
cluding lumber, limestone and granite. 

Our subject was born in Duquesne borough, 
Allegheny Co., Pa., now ]>ennett, near Pitts- 
burg, July 4, 1852, and is a son of Joseph and 
Jane (Davis) Ingham, both natives of Wales. 



The father of our subject came to the l"nited 
States in 1840, and settled near Pittsburg, and 
worked in and managed the iron mills of Spang, 
Chalfant & Co. of Etna, Pa., a suburb of Pitts- 
burg, from 1840 to 1890. By trade he was a 
])uddler. His wife, Jane, was a daughter of 
William and I\li7.abeth Davis of Pittsburg, Pa., 
who came to this country from Wales in 1840 
with their family of children, among whom was 
our subject's mother. Six children were born 
to our subject's parents, as follows: William, 
who married Laura Freeman of Sharpsburg, Pa., 
and had four children — ^Joseph, Xellie, Charles, 
and Jane, deceased; Gershum B.; John (i., who 
married Anna McConville of Steubenville, Ohio, 
and has one child, Martha J.; Gonier E.; George, 
who married Bella Howells of Etna, Pa., who 
bore him one child, Herbert S. ; and Elizabeth. 
who resides with her father at Etna, Pa. Our 
subject's father is hale and hearty for one of his 
vears, and recently spent three months in 
Europe, visiting his native home in Wales. In 
his political belief he is a steadfast Republican, 
and held the ofifice of school director in his own 
town in Allegheny County. Socially he is an 
Odd I'ellow. In religious matters he is a Bap- 
tist, and for many years has been a deacon in 
that church. 

Gershum B. Ingham was educated in the 
schools of Pine Creek, now Etna, Pa., and then 
in the academy of Sharpsburg, Pa., and subse- 
(luently in the Western I'niversity of Pennsyl- 
vania in Pittsburg. lie then worked four years 
on a farm for his father, after which he entered 
Duff's College of Pittsburg, Pa., from which in- 
stitution he graduated in 1872. In the fall of 
that vear, he went to Harmonv, Indiana, where 



502 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

he became assistant superintendent of a blast HIRAM K. HARTSUFF, deceased, a well- 
furnace, owned by the Indianapolis Rail Mill known and universally respected citizen of New 
Co., of which the late Vice-President Hendricks Castle, was born in fiercer Co., Pa., and was a 
was a leading figure. In 1874, ^\x. Ingham son of Zechariah Hartsufif, who was an old set- 
went to Jackson, Ohio, where he engaged in the tier of Mercer County, following agricultural 
buying of iron ore for the Tropic and Star F"ur- pursuits throughout his life. He married Mary 
nace Co. of Jackson, Ohio. In the following year Pierce, daughter of John Pierce, and there were 
he entered the employ of an Oil Well Supply born to them seven children: Stewart; Lewis; 
Co., and represented it in the oil region of Penn- Ebenezer; John; Hiram K.; Sarah (Woods); 
sylvania until 1878, when he engaged in the ice and Melissa (Scott). They were United Presby- 
business in Etna, Pa., on his own account, re- terians and Metihodists in their religious beliefs, 
maining in that business until 1881. In that The mother of our subject died Iiefore middle 
year he ventured in the stone business, in which age had silvered the hair. 

he has proved so uniformly successful. In busi- Air. Hartsnff came to New Castle forty-five 
ness circles, his word is good as gold and his years ago and took uj) the trade of blacksmith- 
integrity goes without question; an indorsement ing. learning his trade under the instruction of 
from him carries its full meaning. Mr. Clark. He operated a shop for himself in 
On Jan. 17, 1878, the marriage ceremony was New Castle for a number of years, and then ac- 
performed that united our subject and Miss cepted a position as blacksmith in a glass fac- 
Caroline Loeffler in the lasting tie of matrimony; tory, where he remained many \ears. He then 
Mrs. Ingham is a daughter of Martin and Matil- rented the farm where the family now lives, and 
da Loeffler, the former of Heidelberg, Ger- started a milk dairy which he was operating at 
many, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, the time of his death. 

Seven children have graced our subject's mar- Mrs. Hartsufif's grandfather, William Kyle, 

riage: Albert G.; John; Merle; Aquilla; Edith; was a well-to-do farmer of Lawrence County. 

Jane M.; and Paul H., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was 

Ingham are members of the Baptist Church of Xancy Chambers, there were born ten children, 

New Castle, Pa. Our subject's politics are fam- as follows; Eliza; Sarah; Margaret; Martha; 

iliar to those who are at all acquainted with him Jane; Mary Ann; Robert; Alexander; John; and 

as being Republican. Socially, he is an Odd Agnes. Mr. Kyle departed this hfe at the age 

Fellow of Wampum Lodge, No. 865 of Wam- of ninety years, and his wife fell into that last 

pum, this county; Knights of Pythias, Wampum sleep that knows no waking this side of the 

Lodge, No. 440; and Royal Arcanum, Penn grave at the age of eighty-seven. ■ Robert Kyle, 

Council. Xo. 420, of New Castle, Pa. As one of the father of Mrs. Hartsuff, married Miss Anna 

Lawrence County's representative business Reed, a native of Lawrence County, and to them 

men, we place the portrait of Mr. Ingham in were given eight children, namely: Jane; Ag- 

this Book of Biographies. • nes; Elizabeth; William; Michael; Sarah; Mar- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



503 



giierite; and a child tliat died in infancy. The 
union of our subject and his wife was blessed 
with the birth of ten children, who were named: 
Albert ; Robert ; Hiram : Edward ; Harry ; \'elnia, 
deceased; Aggie; Theresa; Carrie and Anna. 
The family are United Presbyterians in their re- 
ligious attachments and beliefs. Mr. Hartsuflf 
was a Democrat, and always faithful and true in 
his party obligations. 



GEORGE W. JOHNSON', who, we are 
proud to say, is the largest dealer in limestone in 
the world, is also proprietor of the Arethusa Iron 
Works, and City Roller Mills, and a manufac- 
turer of sheet iron and sleul. and flour, feed, etc. 
Mr. Johnson is a thorough business man, and 
the career, whicii he has made for himself, and 
which has brought him wealth and those things 
that wealth bestows, is worthy of imitation in 
every particular, for he has strictly adhered to 
the upright principles which enter into the busi- 
ness life of every really successful man, and his 



footsteps. Our subject's father was born and 
raised on the farm in Mercer County, and later 
worked at mining for a considerable length of 
time. His wife, who was stricken low at thirty- 
nine years of age by an attack of typhoid fever, 
bore him seven children, who were as follows: 
Jane: George W. ; Salvina; Frank, deceased; 
Hannah: William, deceased; and Joseph S.. who 
died at an early age. Our subject's father was 
aged sixty-seven years at his demise. He was 
an active partisan of the Democratic party, but 
never ranked among the aspirants for office. 

Gc(jrge W., at the age of ten years, entered the 
employ of Wilson, Lean & Co.. at Clinton, Pa., 
working at mining, and clerking in the compa- 
ny's store, in fact, doing whatever a bright young 
lad with willing hands and thoughtful beyond his 
years could do, and at the age of fifteen, so 
faithful and conscientious was he in his efforts 
to do the best he knew how, that he had entirely 
gained the confidence of his employers, who ac- 
cordingly even at that early age gave him charge 
of several departments, and so he continued un- 
til he had full charge of the large general store, 
holding the position of inanager until 1871, 
when his ambition led iiim to enter greater fields 



business methods are open to the most critical 
inspection. Among the citizens of New Castle of labor, and make his mark in the world. With 
he occupies a high place, and it is with pride that this idea of a larger and increased field of use- 
they point him out as one of the most enterpris- fulness in view, Mr. Johnson with A. R. Lee, 
ing of its many energetic citizens. and William Patterson, formed a partnership. 
Our subject was born near Clarksville, Mer- styling it the Lee, Patterson, Johnson Co., and 
cer Co., Pa., in 1847, o" ^ farm, like the greater entered upon the lime business at Wampum, 
share of the leading men of to-day, and was a son Lawrence County, continuing in the manufac- 
of John Smith Johnson, and grandson of John ture of that material and in its traffic for a time, 
Johnson, Sr. Our subject's grandfather was also when our subject bought out his partners, and 
a native of the Keystone State, and was known operated the business alone. Later on, he be- 
as a prosperous farmer. His son followed in his came associated with Green, Manpiis & Co., and 



504 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



in 1880 located in New Castle, where they en- 24, 1868, is a graduate of Meadvile College, Class 
gaged in business under the firm name of ]\Iar- of 1890; he then spent three years engaged in 
quis & Johnson; since 1889, Air. Jnhnsdn has civil engineering and mining in Colorado, and in 
been alone in business, and to-day we find him 1893 became associated with his father in the 
among the most representative and pros]K'rous of managenunt of the iron plant. Charles H., born 
the citizens of New Castle, employing over 430 July 9, 1870, graduated from the Alassachusetts 
men, and although a thon_)Ugh business man. School of Technology in 1893, fallowed mining 
he has always been very charitable and kind to and engineering in Colorado also, and in 1895 
the poor and needy, and respects the lowly la- became associated with his father, having charge 
borer as nnich as those who occupy high and of the limestone business, 
mighty positions. 

The Arethusa Iron Works, built originalK in 
1873, and rebuilt by our subject in 1895, is locat- 
ed on Center Street, covering the greater portion 
of ten acres, and has tlie following excellent 
equipment for the mainifacture of iron and steel; 
one double and four single jniddling furnaces; 
four squaring shears; eleven trains of rolls; one 
squeezer for sheet iron and steel. The works 
use natural gas and coal, and have an annual 
capacity of 15,000 gross tons; W. L. Johnson, 
our subject's oldest son. is the general manager. 



JACOB MUMP.AUGH, an engineer on the 
W. N. Y. & P. R. R., in whose employ he has 
been for the past twenty-one years, resides at 
No. 6, Croton Avenue; he was born in Erie, Pa., 
Oct. 29, 1845, ''""' 's a son of Nicholas and Cath- 
erine (Rupert) Mumbaugh, both natives of the 
Rliineland, (lermanv. CaCherine came to this 
country with her parents, the grandfather ac- 
j\Ir. Johnson also owns and operates lime companying them also; she died in 1885, at 
quarries at Hilltown, New Castle, the product of the age of sixty-three. Nicholas ]\Iumbaugh 
which is known as Bessemer limcstune. He also emigrated from Germany in 1841, and after 
quarries at Franklin P^orge and Tyrone P'orge. coming to the l.^nited States lived for the first 
In addition to his other interests in the lime- six months in Buffalo, N. Y., the Queen City of 
stone industry, he is manager of the City Roller the Lakes, and from there went to Erie, Pa., 
Flouring Mills, which turn out 150 liarrels of where he lived five years, during which period 
flour per day. Air. Johnson must also be includ- our subject was born. I'rom Erie he moved to 
ed among the extensive real estate owners of Youngstown, Ohio, w here he continued to re- 
New Castle, for, having confidence in the future side until his death in 1890, at the age of seventy- 
growth of the place, he does not hesitate to in- three years. < )ur subject's father was a man of 
vest heavily in landed property. excellent parts, and was finely educated, being 

Air. Johnson married Elizabeth Ann < )sborn an especially good linguist, conversing fluently 
of Lawrence County, and has two children, both in French, German, English, and Spanish. Pro- 
of them sons. William L., the elder, born Oct. fessionallv, he was a bookkeeper, but was also 



BOOK OF RWGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 505 

skilled and well-versed in all phases of landscape subject is a liberal Democrat, and is always 

gfardening-. Of eleven children born to liini and ready to vote for a man of another party, if he 

his wife, nine survive, most of whom live in thinks that by so doing he can elect a better 

Youngstown, Ohio. man. He is a member of the I'.rotherhood of 

Of this family of eleven, Jacob was the second Locomotive Engineers, ( )il City Division, Xo. 

in order of birth. He was an infant when his 173: Knights of Pythias, Western Star Lodge, 

parents moved to Youngstown, and in that town Xo. 160 of New Castle. He has been in but one 

lie grew up, and received a public sciiool educa- very severe accident, and that occurred seven 

tion until he was thirteen years of age, when he miles north of Xew Castle, but he was fortunate 

began driving a team, at which f>ccupation he enough to escape without serious injury, other 

was engaged for four or five years. He then than a shaking up and a few cuts, 
had a little taste of railroad life, serving one year 

as a brakeman. He next served an apprentice- «*.^-»»^ 

ship of a year and a half in the bolt works in 

Youngstown, and continued with the firm as TIIOM.AS COX. an extensive land-owner 
journeyman one year, when he went to I'itts- and ])rogressive citizen of Wilmington town- 
burg and worked at his trade five years. Re- ship. Lawrence Co.. Pa., is a descendant of one 
coming seriously ill. he returned home, where of the men who, coming into this country when 
his sickness and convalescence kept him sixteen it was comparatively uninhabited by white men, 
months. I'pon recovering his accustomed with wide forests covering what are now fertile 
health in 1867, he accepted the position of fire- and productive plains, infused their energies and 
man on the Westennan railroad, where he re- ideas of thrift into the very hfe of the commu- 
mained two years, after which he came to Xew nity. That Lawrence County is to-day one of 
Castle to be the engineer for the Xew Castle the leading counties of the Keystone State, in all 
Coal & Mining Co.. with whom he remained things that count for true prominence, is primar- 
nearly seven years. Then after a very short em- i|y due to the sort of men who fomided it. That 
ployment in the oil country, he was engaged by it maintains its pristine dignity and enjoys unex- 
tlie W. X. Y. & P. R. R.. Aug. 16. 1876. as an celled prosperity is because the sons of those 
engineer on its lines, and ever since has had his older men have the true kind of material in their 
name on that company's pay-rolls. The long composition. 

term of service testifies to the estimation in which The grandfather of Thomas Cox bore the 
he is held by his employers. same name as his esteemed grandson, the sub- 
Mr. Mumbaugh was married in Sharon. Pa., ject of this history. The older man was born 
March 17. 1871, to Mary E. Skiles, a native of in England, the son of sturdy and thriving par- 
Sewickley, Pa., and a daughter of William and ents. His early education was received in the 
Susan (Smith) Skiles. Mrs. Mumbaugh is a English schools. When still a young man, 
member of the M. E. Church. In his politics, our stirred by that British spirit which has made the 



506 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWREXCE COUNTY. 



Anglo-Saxon race the power it is in all countries 
by its colonists, he came to this side of the water 
witli his young wile, and located near Pittsburg, 
bu}"ing a fami on which he remained sixteen 
years. He then went to Lorain, Ohio, wliere he 
remained until his death at eighty-six years of 
age, occupied in agricultural pursuits. He gath- 
ered about his fireside seven children: William: 
Joseph; Robert; John; Thomas; Sarah; and 
Catherine. This family was reared under the 
goodly influence of the ^lethodist Episcopal 
Church. In pohtics the boys were Republicans, 
and all became worthy and reliable citizens. 

William, the eldest son, was the father of our 
subject. He was boni near Yorkshire, England, 
and came with his father and mother to this coun- 
tr\-. After finishing his education, he went into 
the salt business, owning and operating a salt 
works for many years. Being drawn toward ag- 
ricultural pursuits, he finally leased the salt 
plant, and bought a farm of 125 acres near Pitts- 
burg, which he successfully conducted for sev- 
eral years. He then leased the farm, and moved 
to Homestead Pa. His first wife was Hannah 
Ford, daughter of Joseph Ford, and this union 
resulted in eight children, who were as follows: 
Sarah; Catherine; Joseph; Elizabeth; Thomas, 
the subject of this writing; WiUiam: George; and 
Robert A. A few years after the death of his 
first wife, Mr. Cox was united in wedlock with 
Anna \\'hittaker, and to them one child, John 
P.. was bom. Mr. Cox lived in Homestead un- 
til his eighty-sixth year, when the inevitable 
summons came, and he obeved the call. Polit- 
ical and religious matters were on the same lines 
as in his father's home before him. 

Tliomas Cox was born Jan. i, 1837, on the old 



fann in Allegheny Co., Pa. His first training 
was in the home and iia the excellent schools of 
his native section. As soon as he had attained 
the requisite strength, he began w;orking on the 
liome fann for his father, continuing to be em- 
ployed in this manner until he was twenty-four 
years of age, when he came to Lawrence Coun- 
ty. At that time he married and bought a farm 
of 125 acres. To this tract of land, which was 
very little improved when he took possession of 
it, he has been constantly adding everj-thing in 
his power that would bring it up to his idea of 
what a model farm should be. so that now Mr. 
Mr. Co-X has 215 acres of most fertile soil, all 
carefuly looked after and brought into the high- 
est state of cultivation. Good, substantial build- 
ings, splendid orchards, wide-reaching meadows, 
and golden fields of waving grain all show Mr. 
Cox to be a farmer who loves his work, and ap- 
preciates fully the importance of that calling 
which furnishes to mankind the real necessities 
of life. ^Ir. Cox has a shrewd, discriminating 
eye for good stock, and in his pastures graze 
some of the best specimens of high-grade ani- 
mals that may be seen in many a day's journey. 
The orcliards on his farms are in full bearing.and 
produce about every variety of fruit that can be 
successfully raised in this latitude. 

The beloved wife of Mr. Cox, whose maiden 
name Avas Anna Layton, is now dead. She bore 
to her husband three children, named: Ida ^L, 
Anna C, and John W. Ida M., became the wife 
of Frank McClure, and they have two children, 
Thomas Z. and Francis L. !Miss Anna is Hving 
at home and keeping house for her father. John 
W. married Susan Foster, and has one son, Law- 
rence F. 




JOHN JORDAN. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



509 



Mr. Cox has through life been an all-around, Henry Jordan, born and educated in Ger- 

valuable citizen. He has served his townsmen many, but early transplanted to American soil, 

in various offices faithfully and well, having at was the founder of this family. He came to this 

one time and another been supervisor, school land when a young man: fought against the 

director, collector, auditor, and judge and in- British in the ^^'ar for Independence, and wend- 

spector of elections. Whatever he does, whether ed his way into Washington township, where he 

for himself or for the public, he believes in per- found a suitable spot, and located a home. His 



wife, Elizabeth, bore him ten children: Eliza- 
beth; Margaret; John; Henry; Ann; Mary; 
George and Daniel, twins; Mercy; and Michael. 
Henry Jordan and his family favored the teach- 
ings of the Presbyterian Church, which they at- 
tended whenever circumstances would permit 
and an opportunity presented itself. In politics, 
he was a firm believer in the principles of the 
Democratic party, and an especial admirer of 
Thomas Jeflferson. 

Henry Jordan, the younger, and father of our 
subject, was a resident of Baltimore, Md. He 
followed his father into the new country, and as 
soon as he was fitted to strike out for himself, 
he bought a farm of 20a acres, where John Jor- 
dan now lives and carries on agricultural opera- 
tions. This tract was similar to the surround- 
JOHX Jordan is one of the representative ing places, in that it was mainly covered with 
and foremost agriculturists of W'ashington town- virgin forest, so Mr. Jordan was compelled by 
ship. He is a member of a family which has had the exigencies that make the sustaining of life 
a most important part in the transformation of dependent on labor to release the fields from 
this section from the wilderness of ninety-five the bondage of the forest, and sow them to 
years ago into the broad acres of grain fields, grain. He hewed away at the woodland giants 



forming to the best of his abilities. Carelessness 
or laxness have no place in his make-up. He 
has reared his family in the M. E. Church, and 
his boys like himself are all good Republicans. 
The inhabitants of this section of the State all 
know Mr. Cox as an honest, reliable, and pro- 
gressive citizen, and respect him accordingly. 
His prosperity is due mainly to his own indus- 
try and to the care he has taken of the worldly 
goods entrusted to his judicious management. 
He is a very approachable man. and is always a 
willing listener to anything that tends toward 
human progress and cnlightment. 



and the wide-spreading meadows of the present. 
From almost the beginning of its history. 
Washington townshij) has known and respected 
the name of Jordan, and it is probable that the 
progeny and descendants of those sturdy ances- 
tors will live on the ancestral acres for many 
manv vears to come. 



and in time built the old home which now stands 
a relic and landmark on one portion of the es- 
tate. The faithful wife, who followed Henry 
Jordan ihrough liis long and busy life was a Miss 
Anna Anderson, daughter of Alexander Ander- 
son, a native of Ireland. To Mr. Jordan and his 
wife were given eight children, who were born 



510 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



in this order: Alexander; Elizal)eth; Margaret; 
Henry; Anna; Catherine; John, our subject; and 
Sarah. Air. Jordan both in political anil relig- 
ious matters followed his father. 

John Jordan, of whom this liiographv is writ- 
ten, liecame a member of his parents' family 
April 13. 1830, l)eing l)orn on the farm lu- now 
owns and upon which he now resides. He 
passed his boyhood days in the district school 
and at work on the home ])lace; as time passed 
on, and his respected father was laid to rest, our 
subject inherited the h(_)niestead. He now holds 
206 acres of very fertile and well-conditioned 
land. Mr. Jordan at his earliest opportunity 
erected the fine new house, barns and outl)uil(l- 
ings. which to-day grace and add value to his 
property. He set out new and carefully-selected 
orchards, which ha\e c<3me into prolific bearing, 
and made what other improvemenls his completi- 
knowledge of good methods could suggest. The 
raising of high-grade stt:)ck has alwaxs claimed 
his attention to a greater or less degree, and he 
is rated a very careful and e\])erienced breeder, 
any stock conu'ng from lijs place l)eing sure to 
l^ossess the characteristics Air. bir<lan claims for 
it, and needmg no certificate of merit. Mr. Jor- 
dan lias all in all spent a verv buss- life, and one 
which lias lionie fruits commensurate with the 
intelligent t'tTorts he has ever put forth. His 
wife, the dearh belovt'cl companion of so main 
liajipy }ears of married existence, was taken 
from liim by death Jan. 30, l8i)2, at the age of 
fifty years. She was Alargaret A. Young, daugh- 
ter of Samuel Young, a native of Ireland. Mr. 
Jordan's intlueiice has Ijeen felt in many ways in 
his native town through his coimection with 
various societies. He has been a steady sup- 



porter of the Democratic party, and has held 
many places of trust of a public nature, among 
them the offices of assessor, auditor, overseer of 
the poor and judge of election. The Presbyter- 
ian Church numbers him among its regular at- 
tendants and most liberal sujiporters. In social 
circles he is well and favorablv known, having a 
disjjosition and manner, which bring him friends 
everywhere. Living on an estate, the pleasant 
surroundings of which are due mainly to his own 
efforts and good taste, he is enjoying a life of 
well-earned pros]K-ritv and contentment. It 
gives us pleasure to present his portrait on a pre- 
ceding page in connection with this l)rief out- 
line of his life. 



GENERAL WILLIAM A. CLARK is with- 
out question the most widely known citizen of 
Wilmington township, Lawrence Co., Pa. He is 
a comparativelv }'oung man, but his life has been 
crowded with events of im])ortance, which ha\'e 
followed one another in close succession. His 
fair reputation is kiiown not onl\' throughout 
the entire eastern ])art of the I\e\stone .State, 
but his connection with \ital human interests 
has given him a national fame. 

General Clark comes from a race that has con- 
trilmted as many great men to the pages of his- 
tory as any people on the face of the earth. Any 
man who has Scottish blood coursing throug'h 
his veins is bound to feel that courageous thrill 
and dauntless energy that is the heritage of the 
sons of tlie men who gathered around the stand- 
ard of William Wallace, and who placed their 
own Stuart on the throne of England. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. oil 

George Clark, who first saw the briglit liglit work in the tailoring hne. He llicn oijcncd np 

of day at a point near Efiinburgh, Scotland, was a large store, which he conducted with marked 

the grandfather of the subject of this personal success up to the date of his death in iS66, at the 

history. Like all true Scots he was given some age of fifty-four years. Mr. Clark was a man 

schooling, and taught a useful trade, which trade who made his mark in the community. Pos- 

happened to be that of tailoring. Hearing of sessed of unusually sound judgment, keen in 

the opportunities in that fair and free land across perception, firm in opinion and strong in char- 

the seas, he took his wife and started on the long acter, he was a man to whom many went with 

journey to the West. He eventually found a lo- their perplexities. Seldom, indeed, did he fail to 

cation at Xcw Berlin, Adams Co.. Pa., where he untangle the bewildering conditions, or help the 

settled, won and lived out a useful life, working applicant in his difficulty. During the period of 

mainly at his trade, and rearing a family of well- inflated and uncertain money, he was relied upon 

trained children whom he left to honor and per- by people for many miles around to ]>ass judg- 

petuate his good name. The children were, in ment as to the real value of the currency that 

order: George H., the father <jf our subject; foimd its way into their hands, and it was a rare 

William D.: Edward A.; Mary (Popp); Sarah occurrence for him to blunder. He was a strong 

(Arlabaugh); and Anna (PiakerV Whig, but later on joined his fortunes to thr- 

George H. Clark, born in New IV-rlin, natur- party of Lincoln and Sumner, ^fany times 
ally learned his father's trade, a trade that was would his admiring fellow-citizens have be- 
especially useful and remunerative at that time, stowed jinblic office upon him, but he had no 
He continued in that line. an<l in li^.p. with a ambition in that line. 

desire to the more rajiidly better his financial F.arh in life. ^^^. Clark married a ladv who be- 
condition. moved to New Wilmington, Pa., longed to one of the first families of Pennsyl- 
where he opened a hotel, at the same time work- vania. She was Miss Elizabeth Scott, a daugh- 
ing at his trade and employing several journey- tcr of Major Francis Scott, wlio was an own 
men tailors. Mr. Clark, while a finished work- cousin of the veteran hero of two wars. General 
man in all the branches of his craft, was a most Winfield Scott. Mrs. Clark was the oldest of a 
expert cutler. It took verv little time for his family of twelve children, and it is worthy of 
neighbors to become cognizant of that fact, so note, that her youngest sister is the w'ife of 
it got to be quite the custom in the neighborhood David McKinley, brother of William McKinley. 
to buy suitings of him, which he would cut for President of the L'nited States. Mrs. Clark lived 
the different individuals of the family. These fab- out a long and useful life, passing away in 1893. 
rics, cut to measure, were then taken home and at the age of seventy-six. Both she and her 
made up into handsome suits by means of the husband during their respective lives were con- 
housewife's busy needle. sistent Christian people, and members of the 

About i860, Mr. Clark determined to embark ^lethodist Episcopal denomination. Their chil- 

in the mercantile business, and so gave up his dren were: ^^'illianl .\.. subject of our article: 



512 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

I\'Iary L. (Moore): Frank S., who lives in Butler, traverse the oil fields, and convey their precious 

Pa.; and (Jeorgfe 1\, deceased, who was a medi- burden to Pialtiniorc, Philadelphia and New 

cal practitioner at Prairie Cit\-, Iowa, the town ^'ork. He still retains holdings in various oil 

of his demise. pro])crties. hut has retired from the cares of an 

General William A. Clark was ushered into active Imsiness life, 
this life at New \\'ilmini,'-ton. Pa., March 25, ( ieneral Clark was twice married. First in 
1843. He attended the public schools of his na- 1S65, to ]\Iiss Fdizabeth Aults, daug-hter of Isaac 
tive town, then took a preparatory course and Aults, a leading" citizen of Lawrence County ; she 
entered Westminster College. Here he soon at- died in 1874, leaving- one siin,C. Paul. The second 
tained a high standing, both as a gnod stu<lent imion took |)lace in 1877. and was with ]\Iiss 
and as a young man of more than ordinary Martha F. Jones. C. Paul Clark, the son of the 
promise. When the w ar, whicli was to tear the first wife, married IMiss Mary O. Heasley of Wil- 
shackles from the enslaved African, broke out, mington townshi]): he was eng^aged in the toqie- 
the young student immediately eidisted in Co. do business, and was doing finely, when death 
B, of the looth Regiment of Pennsylvania \o\- claimed him at the early age of twenty-seven, 
unteer Infantry, an independent regiment which His wife and one daughter, Pauline, survived 
won great renown, and which in army circles him. IMartha F. Jones, the General's second 
was termed the "Round Head Regiment." Our wife, was a grandchild of Phillip James of Alie- 
young soldier sjient over three hard years in the gheny, and her mother is the widow of James 
service of his country, and made a war record Parker. To the General and his wife, two chil- 
that he may well be proud of. He took ])art in dren have been given: Anna G. and William A., 
fourteen pitched battles, and was in an innumer- Jr. The daughter has made nnisic her life study, 
able amount of lesser engagements. He enlisted She has had tlie most finished course that the 
at the beginning of hostilities as a private, but l,est American conservatories could give, and 
his services so advanced him that he received his ],as a studio in the Clark Block, where she gives 
discharge as a sergeant. Returning from the instniction in the beautiful art. She is also a 
field, he became associated with his father in the soprano of rare accomplishments, a violinist, a 
mercantile business, and soon familiarized him- banjo and mandolin jdayer, and may be regular- 
self with all the many details. At his father's ly heard in the clioir of the First I'nited Presby- 
death, the son took cliarge of afi'airs. but shortly terian Church of Xew Castle. William A. Clark, 
dis])osed of his mercantile interests, and entered Jr.. the son. is a medical student, an electrician, 
the then fast-developing oil fields. Since that and is pursin'ng a meritorious career at this writ- 
time up to i8y6 the oil business in one or another ing. 

of its many branches has claimed all of his time. That there is no sluggishness in the coursing 

and he has become one of the leading factors of of his Idood, that he is energetic and wide-awake, 

this inmiense industry. General Clark was in- General Clark's life-work has proved. Actively 

lerested in laying the trunk pii)e lines which intereste<l in the welfare of his native town, he 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, lAWREXCE COUNTY. 



518 



follows his thoughts and plans by noteworthy ac- 
tions. In 1893 he originated and forced through 
to organization the borough water-works; a 
stock company was formed, and nearly the en- 
tire burden of financiering and carrying the en- 
terprise to its completion lias fallen upon the 
subject of this history. He built the electric 
plant in 1896, which his son, William A., Jr., 
managed until he began his medical studies. His 
interest in education, as well as his love for his 
alma mater, is shown by the gift of a well- 
equipped chemical laboratory to Westminster 
College. This building was completed in 1896, 
and bears the name of the William A. Clark 
Chemical and Art Hall. The massive brick 
block on Main Street, which bears his name, was 
completed in 1895; in this structure are located 
the New Wilmington Hank, the postoffice, the 
Clark Business College, which the (jencral es- 
tablished in 1896, and a large number of office 
rooms, store-rooms, etc. General Clark lias con- 
cluded to beautify the property formerly 
known as the Neshannock Falls property into a 
handsome summer resort, which he will open to 
the public about June, 1898. This place will be 
one of the finest in the Cnited States. He is also 
erecting a new hotel, four stories high, and 
equipped with all the modern improvements. 

General Clark is a member of all the Masonic 
bodies from the lilue Lodge up to and including 
the thirty-second degree. He is also a member 
in high standing of the 1. (). O. F.; Ji. V. O. E.; 
A. O. U. W.; G. A. R.; and the I'. \". L. In the 
latter order, he is very prominent, having passed 
in turn through all the official positions up to 
that of National Conuiiaiider, a distinction he 
bore in 1893-94. In (ieueral Clark's possession 



are two badges which he prizes highly, and which 
speak for the high merit and esteem in which he 
is held by his comrades. One is a badge given 
him as National Commander by the members 
of the Union \ eteran Legion; the other has also 
been awarded him to keep, hut it was one which 
had been handed down from the first National 
Conuuander from successor to successor until 
it reached General Clark. Another very hand- 
some piece of work, which shows how the serv- 
ices of our subject were appreciated, is a life-size 
water-color painting of himself, presented him 
by the U. \. L. 

General Clark is a Republican in politics, with 
his convictions as deeply settled and fixed as his 
father's ideas of freedom. He iielieves in true 
Republicanism, not the party spirit which actu- 
ates men to do the bidding of some self-consti- 
tued leader who has no claim on their support 
except it be his own unblushing audacity or will- 
ingness to perform actions that a true man would 
be ashamed of. The kind of Republicanism that 
General Clark loves is the kind whose banner 
John C. I'Veinont dared to carry; that Honest 
"Abe" Lincoln ijroclainied: that to-dav William 
McKinley represents. To the General's mind a 
free-born American's right of suffrage is his 
dearest possession. A citizen should vote with a 
good, clear idea behind his ballot of what he 
wants that ballot to do. Men, who are leaders, 
should have won the riglit to lead by having per- 
formed actions entitling them to leadership. 
Ring politics, log-rolling conventions and 
packed primaries win General Clark's deep dis- 
dain. He is in a position to know the correct- 
ness of the stand he lakes, for his experience in 
politics has been life-long. At the present writ- 



514 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

ing he is president of the borougii ci.nincil, ancl is hands of his widow has proved productive. In 
ever a prime factor in all civil affairs. In 1897, 1864 he enlisted from Philadelphia in the 29th 
he was a candidate for the Congressional nom- Reg. Pa. \o\. Inf., and served under Col. Mur- 
ination from his district. (3wing to his well- phy; he contracted cholera in the army, and this 
known independent attitude toward the crowd caused his discharge from the army for disabili- 
which makes up what is fittingly called the ties from the Joe Holt Hospital of Indianapolis, 
"ring" power, he was deprived of the opportun- He was never very well afterwards, and died in 
ity at this time of luaking wliat would have been 1 891, aged sixty-three years. In politics he was 
a lirilliant and certain campaign. By a shrewd a Democrat, and in his religious views he was 
but, at the same time, srjuare and honorable lua- attached to the Episcopal Church. While a resi- 
neuver, in which he used his trained skill to ad- dent of Philadelphia he was a member of the 
vantage, he overturned the plans of the parties I. ( ). O. F., and in Union township was connect- 
from his own county who tricked him out of the ed with the G. A. R. organization, 
nomination, and gained by their defeat what was The excellent lady, with whom he united him- 
a fair and just revenge, (jeneral Clark will never self for life was Rebecca Boston, daughter of 
cease to be a potent memlier of societv in his John and Maria (Morrison) Boston. John Bos- 
chosen part of the State. The parties that seem ton was born in Butler County, near Porters- 
to win at tlie present will in the long run find ville, and ^vas engaged in farming all of his life; 
out that fair dealing, backed by open, honest he settled in Neshannock township on a farm, 
ways and true patriotism, will ever come out the now owned by Cieorge (ireen. and rounded out 
winner in tlie race. his career there, his death taking place at the 

age of sixty-three, and his wife's at the age of 

' m , ^ , m eighty-six. His children that grew up to matur- 
ity were: Enoch; Rebecca; Elijah; Julia; and 

MRS. REBECCA FRENCH of Union town- Samuel. John Boston, himself, was a son of 

ship is the widow of the late James French. He John Boston, Sr., to whom the following chil- 

was born in Ireland, but was of Scotch descent, dren were born: George; John; Rebecca; Eliza- 

as his fatlier and mother were born in Scotland, beth; Catherine; Samuel; Adam; William; Shef- 

and settled in Ireland, where their deaths oc- feler; and Tinna. John Boston, Sr., came from 

curred. James French when thirteen years of Winchester, \'a., and was among the pioneers of 

age came to Philadelphia, and his first business Butler County. He settled on 225 acres of forest 

was in the manufacture of ice cream. In 1866, land, and Iniilt his log-cabin and cleared the land 

he came to Union township and l:)ought tlie farm in the style so customary then. He cut a cradle 

where he resided until his death; the property from the body of a large tree, dug it out, and in 

was known as the R. Sankey farm. He succeed- it rocked all of his children, besides many of his 

ed in a very large degree, and made many valu- grandchildren. He was a very prosperous and 

able improvements to the land, which in the progressive citizen of his conuuunitv, and did 




JOSEPH C FERVER. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



>\\ 



much in bringing about tlie development and country and its needs, and gathered together a 
growth of the township. He lived to be over very comfortable property. He was an honest, 



eighty years old. His wife, who was Elizabeth 
Albert, was eighty-seven or eighty-eight when 
she was called to her long home. The union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Frencli was productive of these 
children: Enoch, a railroad conductor of Gal- 
latin, Tenn., married Amanda Watts, and has 
two children, \'ivian and Elzena; Augustus, 
who died in his nineteenth year; McClcllan, who 
lived to be eighteen years of age; Julia, who 
married Charles Coon of Pittsburg; Johnnie, 
who died at nine years of age; Mamie, who lives 
at home; and James, who is in the railroad busi- 
ness. 



JOSEPH C. FER\ER. deceased, whose por- 
trait accompanies this sketch on the opposite 
page, was one of the early residents of Xeshan- 
nock township, and was born, reared, and died 
on the paternal homestead, which is now the 
residence of his widow. He was born Dec. 4. 
1817, and tlicd Jan. 13, 1889. ^^i"" subject's 
father came to Xeshannock township in 1806, 
from his native State, Maryland, and settled on 
the farm, now occupied by his son's widow; 
everything was a perfect wilderness, and the set- 
tlers were few and far between. He cleared a 
spot large enough to furnish a site for a log- 
house and afford a little room for a small gar- 
den patch, and lived in this homelv. frontier 
fashion until he had largely cleared his farm, 
when he erected a frame dwelling to replace the 
one of logs. As one of the first settlers he took 
advantage of his intimate knowledge of the 



upright man, prompt in the discharge of every 
obligation, and while he was e.xacting as to get- 
ting his own dues, he was as equally sure to pay 
the last penny justly due from him to others. 
He was a Democrat from principle, but never 
had time to accept office. He married Rebecca 
Carle of Westmoreland Co., Pa., and their fam- 
ily grew to include seven children: John, who 
married Margaret Strita of Mercer, Pa., and has 
three children — Sarilla, Emma, and Orin; Fish- 
er, who married Sophia F'obes and had three 
children — Samuel, Joseph C, and Sabra, clc- 
ceased; Taylor, who married Margaret Randall, 
and was the father of one child, Clark ; Joseph C, 
the subject of this ])ensonal history; William, 
who married I'-iiza ( Ircer, and lias a family of 
eight children — Nancy, Carl, Elizabeth, John, 
William, Wilbur, Emma, and Charles; Mary, 
who married John Gibson of Xeshannock town- 
ship, and has four children: Ira X.. Plimpton, 
Armetta, and Capitola; and Samuel, deceased. 
They were members of the Methodist Church, 
and attended divine services in King's Cliapel, 
Xeshannock township. The fatlier died Marcii 
15, 1861, and the mother rejoined him and other 
near and loved ones in the regions across the 
river. July i, 1870, aged eighty-five years, hav- 
ing attained a greater age by eight years than 
her husband. 

Joseph C. Fcrver was educated in his native 
township schools, and as a young man worked 
on the farm, which afterward became his, on 
which he lived all his life: he became well-off by 
making diligent use of his opportunities, sup- 
plementing them witji an unconimon shrewd- 



.-.IS 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



ness and genius for careful and conserving man- 
agement. He was a Democrat, and was elected 
at one time supervisor. 

May i8, 1847, I16 was joined in marriage with 
Nancy Carle, daughter of Joshua Carle, and to 
Mr. and Mrs. Ferver were given five children, 
namely: Samuel, deceased; Joshua, deceased; 
Adaline, who marrie<l Perry Maitland of New 
Castle; Emma; and one that died in infancy. 
The family are constant attendants of the ^\. E. 
Church. Our subject's father was a soldier in 
the War of 181 2. 



WlLLLlAAf GEARING, the leading miller 
of Neshannock township, and one of the county's 
best citizens, was born in Franklin township, in 
the neighboring county of Beaver, Nov. 25, 
1846, and is a son of John and Margaret (Bur- 
Um) Gearing. 

John Gearing was of German descent and 
birth, and came to the I'nited States with his 
parents when he was about five years of age; the 
family made their home in Beaver County, where 
John, after obtaining a good American district 
school etlucation, engaged in farming which 
occupation he assiduously followed all of his life 
in I'ranklin township, Beaver County, and was 
known as a wide-awake, industrious agriculturist 
who by unremitting efforts has secured to him- 
self a nice farm and man\' home comforts, which 
go so far toward making the rough paths of life 
smooth. In his political belief, he ever adhered 
to the JefTersonian principles of the old-line 
Democratic party. He gathered about his fire- 
side six children, who were; Sophia, who mar- 



ried Jacob Young of Beaver County, and has 
these children — Katie, Elizabeth, Emma, Molly, 
Cliarles. Frank, John, and Amanda; Elizabeth, 
wlio married Jacob Brenner, and has this familv 
— Jacob, Henry, Daniel, John, Frank, Matilda, 
Agnes, deceased, and Annie; Mary, who mar- 
ried Nicholas Workley, a native of Germany, 
but now a resident of the State of Pennsylvania, 
to whom she bore Phoebe, Charles. Louise, 
John, Edward, and Lizzie — after Mr. Workley's 
death, she married as her second husband Henry 
Noggle of Lancaster, Pa. ; Katie, the fourth child 
of our subject's parents, married Peter Brua, 
who was born in Germany, and now lives in 
Perry township, Lawrence County, and they 
have two chiklren, Charles and John; William, 
our subject; Charles, who married Caroline 
Bentrum of Butler Co., Pa., and has five chil- 
dren — Edward, Matilda, Harry. Fred, and John. 
The family are Presbyterian in religious belief. 
Mrs. Gearing died Nov. 5. 1894, but she is still 
survived by her husband, who was born in 1810. 
Our subject adopted the calling of a farmer 
when a young man, and ever since he finished 
his schooling in his native town, he has been en- 
gaged in farming in Lawrence County, Wash- 
ington township, until 1894, when he bought a 
one-half interest in the grist-mill, formerly owned 
by the Jordan heirs, the other half-interest being 
in the hands of the trustees of W'ilmington Col- 
lege. Mr. Gearing has found this new enterprise 
very successful, and a good payer of profits. He 
also owns a silica rock quarry, which he leases 
to Winfield S. Moore; this rock is used in the 
lining of the furnaces that are employed in the 
manufacture of steel. His political views and 
tendencies are those of the Democratic party. 



ROOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



510 



with whom he enthusiastically sides. He has 
held the office of school director six years in 
Washington township. 

His first wife, whom he married in 1868, was 
Amelia Albarn of Franklin towTiship, Beaver 
Co., Pa., daughter of Justus Albarn of the same 
township, and by this union he was made the 
father of three children, as follows: Margaret 
C, who married A. E. Dicks of Washington 
township and has Ida and Effie; John C, who 
married Lilie Anderson of Wilmington town- 
ship, Lawrence Co., Pa., and has one son, Will- 
iam A.; and Justus, deceased. Mrs. Gearing 
died on May 24, 1891, and after the customary 
period had elapsed he married Maggie Richael, 
daughter of Henry Richael of Scutt townshij), 
Lawrence County, and by this second union he 
had one child, Mary Hazel, who died Sept. 21, 
1897. The family are faithful attendants and 
willing workers of the Presbyterian Church. 



PROF. JAMES A. LOSTETTER, deceased, 
late superintendent of the public schools of Ma- 
honingtown borough and a respected citizen of 
that place, was a son of James A. Lostetter, Sr., 
a prominent and well-to-do merchant of Pulaski. 
Lawrence Co., Pa. 

The Lostetter family in America came origin- 
ally from Holland in the persons of five brothers 
and two sisters, who crossed the ocean in 1742 
to become citizens of the English Colonies. The 
male portion of the family took part in the 
French and Indian War, and were serving 
among the colonial troops at the Battle of Que- 
bec. A few years later, when the colonists as- 



serted their inalienable rights, the Lostetter fam- 
ily again showed that they were descended from 
fighting blood by doing valiant service in the 
cause of Liberty. The War of the Revolution 
separated the family of seven children, and they 
never were gathered together around one fire- 
side afterwards; their descendants may be found 
throughout the Southern and Western States, 
and a perusal of war records will show that they 
remained tnie to the fighting trait of the family, 
and were well represented in the War of the Re- 
bellion. 

John Lostetter, the grandfather of Mahoning- 
town's efficient superintendent of schools, was a 
millwright by trade, following that throughout 
the prime of his life in Huntington Co., Va., and 
spending the latter portion of his life in Western 
Pennsylvania, dying in New Castle about 1832, 
aged sixty-four years. He was a loyal, and pa- 
triotic citizen, and managed his business affairs 
with more than usual discretion and good judg- 
ment, accunuilating a competence that comfort- 
ably supported him the last years of his life. He 
was a Jacksonian Democrat, and in the days of 
slave trouble warmly espoused the principles of 
the .-Kbolition party. He married Catherine 
Xoel, who was a daughter of Jacob Xoel, a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, and to them were given the 
following children, ten in number: William, 
who died in infancy; Charlotte; Andrew; Eliza; 
Theresa; Mary; John; Tlionias; James .\.; and 
Catherine. Their religion was that of the Catho- 
lic Church. 

James A. Lostetter, the father of Prof. Los- 
tetter, was born in Martinsburg, Va., March 20, 
1825. and was educated in the schools of Alle- 
gheny City, Pittsburg, and New Castle; after 



520 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 

ccmipletiiig his schooling he learned the tailor's ter of Joim Buchanan of Pulaski, Pa., and has 

trade, serving a four years" apprenticeship with a faniilv of three children — Edna, Clifford and 

William Stitt of Pulaski. When he became a Helen; Maud E., who married Levi Repman of 

journeyiuan he set out tci support himself and at W^ampum, Pa.; Anna M.; Janies A., the subject 

the same time see something of the country, and of this biography; Lizzie A., a teacher in West 

for four years was in the W'est, working at his Xew Castle; and Blanche J.- who married Chas. 

trade in several of the larger cities. In 1847, l""^- Fischer of New Wilmington. Pa., and has one 

located at ^liddlesex. Pa., and remained there child, Harold. C)ur subject's father and his two 

until 1850, moving in that year to New Bedford, sons living are liberal in their religious views, 

Pa., where he made his home fi ir about four but the remainder of the family are Presby- 

years. In 1854 he located in Pulaski. Pa., where terians. 

he has remained ever since in the work of his Prof. Lostetter was born in West Middlesex, 
trade, with the exception of three years which Mercer Co., Pa., March 23. 1865; he was brought 
were spent in the late war, and a short time after up in Pulaski, whither his parents moved wdien 
when he lived in W^est ^Middlesex. He enlisted he was in his first year. His preliminary edu- 
Aug. ij, 1861. at Pulaski. Pa., in CV). B, moth cation was secured in the district schools of Pul- 
Reg. Pa. \'ol. Inf.. which was attached to the aski, and was continued until he was eighteen 
Third Brigade of the I-'irst Division of the Ninth \ears of age, when he entered Grove City Col- 
Army Corps, and he was engaged in all the bat- lege, and graduated in 1887. Having taught 
ties in which his com]iauv took a hand, and was school before attending college, he cjuite natur- 
discharged at the expiration of his term of enlist- ally followed that vocation after he left college 
ment at Pittsburg. Pa., Aug. 27, 1864. In the halls, and was assistant principal at West Middle- 
Peninsular campaign, Alay 12. at Spt)ttsylvania sex for three years, and then for a like period 
Court House, he was severely wounded. He is had full charge of the schools. In 1893, he re- 
a thorough believer in and an advocate of the ad- linquished his position to accept the position of 
vantages of a paper currency and fiat money, as superintendent of the schools of Mahoningtown, 
fully elaborated in the writings of distinguished and since that time satisfactorily conducted the 
members of the Greenback partv. r)n Jan. i, borough schools until his death in Pulaski, Aug. 
1850, he was joined in the holy bonds of niatrl- 2-j , 1897. He was a gentleman of deep learning, 
mony with. Melissa King, daughter of Henry broad views and superior executive ability, and 
and Rachel (Gordon) King of Mercer Co., Pa., did much in raising the standard of the schools, 
the latter of Scotch descent. Our subject's and in bringing them to a high state of efificien- 
mother bore her husband seven children, name- cy, following the most approved methods as laid 
ly: Elmer C, who married Sarah A. Rankin, down by the foremost students of pedagogy, 
daughter of Robert Rankin of Mercer, Pa., and On Aug. 23, 1894, in West Middlesex, oc- 
has two children, George R. and Lucetta; Will- curred his marriage to Miss Fannie S. King, 
iam H., who married Emma l-Juchanan, ilaugh- daughter of Homer T. and Catherine (lT(illi- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



521 



baugh) King, and tliis union has been blessed 
with two sons: Earl King, a bright and interest- 
ing child, the delight of his parents and their 
constant joy; and Homer Alven, born June 13, 
1897. Mr. Lostetter was a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church. In his politics. Prof. Lostetter 
was independent, and voted for the men and 
principles that seemed most to deserve his suf- 
frage. Socially, he was a member Kedron 
Lodge, Xo. 389, I'. & A. M. of West Middle- 
sex, Pa. 



HON. GEORGE W. McCRACKEX, presi- 
dent of the Western Pennsylvania Mutual Fire 
Insurance Co., and well-known citizen of the 
city of Xew Castle, was born Jan. 30, 1838, in 
Mercer Co.. Pa., that portion of wiiich was later 
incorporated as a part of Lawrence County. His 
father, Jacol) McCracken, was the son of Jacob 
McCracken, Sr., and grandson of George Mc- 
Cracken, who was born in Scotland and moved 
to Ireland, where he reared his family and en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits. Jacob McCrack- 
en, Sr., was born and lived his entire life proba- 
bly near Xewton, Limavady, County of London- 
derry, Ireland. He married Isabella McCay, 
and to them were given four children, named: 
George; Jacob, Jr.; William; and Isabella (Wal- 
lace). 

Our subject's father was born in 1805 near 
Newton, Limavady, Ireland, and when a lad of 
fourteen years, with his mother, brothers and sis- 
ter, emigrated to America, and settled in the 
valley of Slippery Rock Creek, this county, 
where he became engaged in agricultural pur- 



suits. He married Elizabeth Wallace, daughter 
of Robert and Elizabeth (Reader) Wallace of 
Mahoning township. The following named chil- 
dren composed the parental household: George; 
Elizabeth; Jacob; Robert W.; Isabella (Stew- 
art); Mary J. (Stewart); Sarah: William P.; Ros- 
anna H.; and Margaret. Both of our subject's 
parents are now deceased, the mother dying in 
1892, aged seventy-eight years, and the father 
passing away in 1885. 

The first twenty years of our subject's life was 
spent on the farm : he then entered Westminster 
College, and graduated in 1861 after a hard 
struggle to meet the necessary expenses of his 
education by teaching school in the winters and 
working on the farm in the summer time 
through harvest. In May, 1861. he enlisted in 
Co. G, loth Reg. Pa. Reserves, and was in the 
service of the stars and the stripes three years, 
participating in all the battles of the Army of 
the Potomac from 1861 to June 7, 1864. He 
entered the service as a private in the ranks, and 
was successively promoted to be sergeant in his 
company, adjutant of his regiment and then to 
the lieutenant-colonelcy of the 191st Reg. Pa. 
\'ol. Inf. lie was seriously injured May 30. 
1864. by a gunshot wound in his left leg at 
Bethesda Church, in the opening encounter of 
the battle of Cold Harbor, and on this account 
was mustered out of the service and honorably 
discharged June 11, 1864. 

On Oct. 19. 1865, he was joined in the bonds 
of matrimony with Miss Mary E. McCreary. 
daughter of John McCreary, who in 1802 be- 
came a settler in what is now Hickory townshij), 
Lawrence County. On May 4, 1866, our sub- 
ject was elected to the superintendency of the 



.')22 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

scliools of Lawrence County, and was thus en- BENJAMIN Y. jEP^FERIJiS, foreman for 

gaged in directing the educational work of tlie the Baldwin & Graham Co., manufacturers of 

schools of the county for three years. In the stoves and ranges, of the citv of New Castle, 

fall of i86g, lie was elected as a member of the Pa., was born in Chester Co., Pa., June i, 1850, 

State Legislature on the Republican ticket, and and is a son of David K. and ^Vilhelnlina (Greer) 

after serving his term spent two years at home Jeft'eries. 

on his farm. In 1872 he became proprietor and David K. Jefferies was a pattern-maker by 

editor of the Lawrence Guardian, and success- trade and followed it all his life in Chester Co., 

fully conducted it until he disposed of his inter- Pa. The following children were born to him 

est in i8t)2. In 1873. he was elected a second and his wife; Eliza; Edward; Caroline; Mary; 

time to the State Legislature, and was a mem- Benjamin T.; David; Clara; Sophia; and New- 

ber of the State Senate from 1881 to 1884. ton. In their religious affiliations they were 

He was the author and introducer of the famous Presbyterians. Our subject's father died in 1880, 

McCracken Bill, in 1883, the House of Repre- aged sixty-eight years. 

sentatives then being Democratic, providing for Benjamin Y. Jefiferies, having finished the 

the appportion'ment of the State into Congres- course of instruction furnished in the schools of 

sional. Senatorial and Legislative districts, which his native place, learned the molder's trade in 

for more than six months was the subject of con- Pittsburg, imder Mitchell & Stevenson. He has 

tention between the two Houses of the Pennsyl- always worked for this firm since serving his ap- 

vania Legislature. During the last eight years prenticeship, for the company he now serves is 

he has served continuously as a member of the virtually the same, although run under the style 

Board of Controllers of the Puljlic Schools of of Baldwin & Graham. For the past nine years 

the city of New Castle, and for two years was he has been foreman in the foundry department, 

president of the board. He is a man of sound In 1870, Mr. Jefiferies married Addie M. 

judgment, and wonderful memory, and while in Henry, daughter of Samuel Henry of Allegheny, 

the Senate was sometimes referred to as the Pa., and three children have resulted from this 

walking encyclopedia; it was said that he could marriage, as follows: Samuel Newton, who 

give the result of the vote in every district and married Lucy Frolick of New Castle; Harry W., 

locality of the State, and the exact majority of wIkj married Laura Campbell (if New Castle; 

each candidate. Mr. McCracken is also a sur- and one child, that died in infancy. Mr. Jefferies 

veyor and engineer by profession, and has done is Republican in his tendencies. Socially, he be- 

considerable work in that line. He has been longs to the Lodge of K. of P. of New Castle, 

president of the Western Pennsylvania Mutual Pa. In his special line of work, he is a skilled 

Fire Insurance Company since its organization. mechanic and his present position as foreman of 

He is a member of the following societies: Lodge the foundr\- department is a reward for many 

of the Craft, No. 433, F. & A. M.; G. A. R. Post, years of diligent attention to business and to 

No. 100: and I'nion \'eteran Legion, No. y. serving the interests of his employers. 



♦it ; >■: || 




REV. THOMAS GREER. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



52o 



ROBERT RUSSELL, an engineer on the 
W. N. Y. & P. R. R., residing at Xcw Castle, 
Pa., was horn in (ilasgow. Scotland, Aug. 12, 
1854, and is a son of Jolm and Annie (Bain) 
Russell. Annie (Bain) Russell was born in Glas- 
gow, and was a daughter of James and Christi- 
ana (Graham) Bain, the latter a native of Perth- 
shire; James Bain was a native of Glasgow, 
where he was employed as teamster for the cot- 
ton mills, and lived to be eighty-two years of 
age, dying in his native land. Our subject's 
father was born in Dunbarton, Scotland, in 1822, 
and died Dec. 6, 1895, in the L'nited States; he 
was a son of John Russell, Sr., an architect ami 
builder in Scotland, where he died. John Rus- 
sell, Jr., came to America in the spring of 1856. 

when our subject was an infant, and after living REV. THO>L'\S GREER, deceased, was one 

nine years in Canada came to the States, and of the representative and ])rominent farmers and 



Harriet (Nowland) Sankey; an extended account 
of the Sankey family will be found on another 
])agc of this Piook of liiographies. Seven chil- 
dren have blessed our subject's marriage, as fol- 
lows: Howard; James; William; Harr\- : Ilal- 
tie; Maude; and Robert, Jr. Mr. Russell is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and his 
wife attends the M. \\. Churcli. In his political 
attachments, Mr. Russell is a Republican. He is 
a member of ( )il City Division. Xo. 173, liroth- 
erhood of Locomotive Engineers, and to New 
Castle Lodge, No. 404, Knights (^f Pythias. 



followed teaming, in which business he was very 
successful, and operated on a large scale. 

Robert Russell was in his second year when 
his parents came to .America, and he lived eight 
or nine years in Newborough, where he attend- 
ed school. When the family came to New Cas- 
tle, he attended school there until he reached the 



blacksmiths of Neshannock township, and for 
at least a quarter of a century was a well-known 
and highly respected class-leader and local 
preacher of the M. E. Church. He was a son of 
Hancc and Elizabeth (Hall) Greer, both natives 
of County Eermanagh. Ireland. Hance Greer 
came to the L'nited States in 1804. and settled 



age of fifteen years, when he began to do for at Noblcstown. Allegheny Co., l^a.. about twelve 

himself, working in the bolt factory for eleven miles from Pittsburg on Charliers Creek. In 

consecutive years, and then in the paper mill for 1810. he removed to Sewickley Bottom, and 

one year. He began firing Nov. 10, 1883. for there resided until 1826. when he took up his 

the W. N. Y. & P. R. R., and remained in that Jiome in Zelienople. P.utler Co.. Pa., where his 

-station some three years, when, having proved death occurred in 1828. To Iiim and his wife 

himself a steady, competent employee, he was were born the following children: Robert: 

advanced to the [wsition of engineer, and has John; Mary A.; James; Elizabeth: and TJiomas, 

since attended exclusively to the duties of an of whom wc write. ( )ur subject's mother was 

engineer. called to her reward on .\pril 8. 181 5. They 

He was married in New Castle, Oct. 30, 1882, were highly thought of in the communities in 

to Deborah Sankey, daughter of William P. and which they lived, upright and conscientious, of 



526 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



high moral principles, and consistent members cided opinions as to the right or wrong of ac- 

of the Methodist Church. tions, and fearless in giving them expression; he 

Rev. Thomas Greer obtained the greater part is amply entitled to the reward of the upright 

of his school education in T-utler County, and man and good citizen in the memory of his co- 

tlien learned the blacksmith's trade of his broth- laborers. Such a noble gentleman merits the 

er-in-law at Sewicklev, Pa., spending six years fullest recognition in our i)ii\ver. and it is with 

to learn the trade, which lie thereafter diligently pleasure that the publishers of this Rook of 

followed until 18,^5, in which year he moved Biographies present his portrait on a preceding 

to Neshannocl< towushi[), where he purchased page, 
a farm and worked it in connection with his 



trade. Rev. Air. Greer was originally a neuKi- 
crat in his political affiliations, but later on iden- 
tified himself thoroughly with the Repulilican 
party, being very active in local affairs and hold- 
ing several township offices of importance. 

In 1830, he married .\nnie R. Rile\-, daughter 
of David and Sarah Riley of Xeshannock town 
ship, and to them were given the following chil- 
dren: Sarah A., who married Alexander Ran- 
kin, and bore him four children — Annie N., Isa- 
liel, Mary, and Thomas G. : Elizabeth TT.; Mary 
A., who married Sanuie! Cowan, now deceased, 
of Armstrong Co.. Pa., and has one child, Sarah 
A., who married \\'illiam W'. M.aitland, and has 
one child, Sarah A.; David R., \\'lio married 
Sarah J. Siniouton of Rieh TTill, Wilmington 
township, this county. The husband of Mary A. 

Greer, Samuel Cowan, was a prosperous farmer ter of Robert Hall, were l)orn nine children 
of Neshannock township, a man of good busi- name: Ralph, Jr.; Elizabeth; isabelle; George; 
ness ability, and honest and upriglit in all his Mary; Jonas; lvol)ert; Ralph Jr., the second of 
dealings. Rev. Mr. Greer held many positions that name; and Charles. In tiie matter of relig- 
of honor in the M. E. Church, and was one of ious belief and attendance they were niendiers of 
the pi<ineer jjreachers of this district. His sou. the Cinirch of England. 

David, has followed in his foot.steps, and is a lo- Ralph Gott obtained some little education in 

c;d preacher of the Methodist denomination his native place in England, l)ut at an early age 
Our subject departed this life April 10, 1891, began to work in the mines, and continued to 
agecl eighty-three vears. He was a man of de- follow that vocation alxmt fifteen years. In 1857 



RALPH GOTT, This energetic and enter- 
prising citizen of Neshannock township, is carry- 
ing on a grocery business, and although the 
business is only of a few years duration, he has 
been meeting with abundant success. Mr. Gott 
was born in ( )sworth, England, Dec. 20, 1831, 
and is a son of Ralph Sr., and P>essie (Hallj Gott, 
botli of wIkiui were born in England, and hav- 
ing lived a thoroughly useful life, were laid to 
rest in their native country, the father dving in 
1853. aged sixty-eigjit years, and the motiier 
passing awa\- in 1866, aged eighty years. ()ur 
sul)ject's father sup])orte<I himself and family 
throughout his life at the occupation of a coal 
miner. To Jiim and liis wife, wlni was a daugh- 

)V 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. .527 

he came to America, and after a year's stay re- was a native of Plain (irove townslii]), and was a 

turned to England, where he lived imtil 1863. son of James McCunc, Sr.. and his wife Susan 

when he once more became a resident of the land (Armstrong) McGune. James McCune, Sr., was 

of the stars and stripes, settling in Neshannock in his life-time one of the pioneer shoemakers 

township, Lawrence Co.. Pa., where lie has since of this new- country and left an honorable name 

remained. His first employment was at his old for his descendants to perpetuate. Capt. James 

occupation, that of coal mining, and he followed McCune while a youth learned the tanner's trade 

it until 1895, when he engaged in the gnjcery w^hich he f-ollowed for some time. Discontinuing 

business, attracting to himself a desirable pat- this line of work, he became a stock dealer, 

ronage, and extending his business with every Later on he engaged in mercantile pursuits at 

season. I larlansburg. a line he followed up to 1864, when 

In 1852. he was joined in marriage with Mar- he enlisted in Co. E, 134th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf. Of 

garet May, daughter of Matthew May, a native this company he was captain. From exposure 

of England, and to them have been given the fol- and hardships, to W'hich he was subjected, while 

lowing children: Ralph, the first of that name; on a forced march from Washington to the scene 

George; Mary A.; Lizzie; Margaret J.; Hannah; of the Second P>attle of P.ull Run, and thence to 

Isabella; Ralph, the second of that name; the field of Antietam, he contracted a severe 

Charles; and Thomas, deceased. In politics, he fever. He was a large and fleshy man, so that 

is a Prohibitionist, and in his religious views he weakened by severe heat, the disease obtained a 

is a member of the Salvation .\rmy. hold on him that he could not shake off. lie 

died in the hospital, and his body was brought 

.*.^»». home and interred in the IMain (irove Cemetery. 

His widow. Hamiah (.Xdams) McCune. survived 

WILLIAM McCl'NE is-a citizen who has in him about three years. She was a daughter of 

his day seen much of life and has traveled over James A. Adams, who married a Miss Harris. 

a goodly portion of the L^nited States. That he and lived to be a very old nian. (^ur subject's 

utimately came back to the land of his nativity mother was born in lUitKr Cuunty, near .\dam's 

and here settled only goes to prove the i)re-em- Corners, in 1827. 

inent desirability of this section as a |)lace in William McCune. our subject, was born in 
which to live and thrive. That he has prospered Harlansburg, July 26. 1856. .\t his father's 
in this beautiful country and attained a high death he was less than ten years of age. His 
standard as a leading citizen and farmer of Plain uncle. Michael Jordan, took him to rear, and 
Grove townshii) is due e(|ually to tiie wortii of gave him all the educational advantages possi- 
the region and his own stvle of life and manner ble. He attended district school until lie was 
of work. sixteen, and then s])ent some time in Prof. Rob- 
Captain James McCune, the father of the gen- inson's private school. After this he took a year 
tleman with whom we are the most concerned, each in the Sunbury Academy and the Edinboro 



.528 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Normal Scliool. Completing his education, the and anything in the mathematical line. To Will- 
now voung man fanned on shares with his uncle iam McCune and his wife have been born four 
for four or five vears, ami then took Horace children: James Elliott; Martha Martin; Han- 
Greelev's famous advice, and went West. His nah ^la\ ; and John Francis. All are alive, and 
first location was at Lincoln. Xeb., where he make u[) a very hajipy and interesting family 
spent a short time, then sold all his interests and circle. 

removed to Kansas Citv, v\diere he remained six Mr. McCune is a progressive and wide-awake 
months. Nowhere in the West did he find fields man, and of more than the ordinary education 
so fertile or climate so genial as in his own na- and general ability. He has always been a stanch 
live township, so back he came to Lawrence Democrat, and served for a long time as a mcm- 
Countv, where he married and settled down on ber of the board <;)f school directors. As a mem- 
rented property, which consisted of two good ber of the I'resbyterian Church, he is liringing 
farms. His uncle, Michael, in the spring of 1887, his family up amid Christian influences. Li the 
deeded him the present farm of ninety-two acres, community, although a comparatively young 
which he has since greatlv improved, adding man, he is 'highly rated as having extremely 
large barns and connnodious buildings. Here he good judgment and an e\]ierience which stands 
is actively engaged in general farming, but makes him in good stead in all the varied duties of life. 
a specialty of a fine dairy, keeping as high as He has been a member o\ the Farmers' Alliance, 
twenty to twenty-five head of milch cows. and is also connected with the Royal Arcanum. 

Mr. McCune was marrried Nov. 15, 1883, in 
Scott tow^nship, to Cora L IMcP.ride, daughter 
of Robert and .Sarah J. (Martin) iNIcP.ride. The 
latter was a daughter of ^^'illiam and Margaret 

(Marshall) Martin. William Martin was a son of WILLLA.M BAY, an honored resident of 

Charles and Jane (McNiece) Martin. Robert Neshannock township, where he is engaged in 

AIcRride, father of Mrs. McCune, was born in the pursuits of agriculture, was born on the farm 

Butler Co.. Pa., and is a wagon-maker liy trade, which he now owns and operates, March 8, 1826. 

but now resides in New Castle. He was a son of He is the grandson of William V. Bay, and son 

Alexancler and Mary (.\rmstrong") McBride, the of Alargaret Bay. 

latter being a daughter of David and Mary .\rm- William V. Bay, who was a native of Washing- 
strong. Alexander McPiride was a merchant of ton Co., Pa., came to what is now Lawrence 
the days gone by. ami was a native of Ireland. Count}-, but then known as a portion of Mercer 
He left his native land at seventeen years of age, Countv, and settled on the banks of the 
and lived to enjoy many seasons of summer and Shenango River in Neshannock township 
winter, which silvered his hair and beard, but as early as 1804, being then thirty years 
did not sap his wonderful vitality. He was noted of age. Later on, in t8i8, he |)urchasefl 
in his time for his wonderful aptness with figures the farm now owned b\- his grandson. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



529 



the subject of this brief history. He 
served as a private through the War of 1812. 
He married Dorcas Johnson, a native of Mary- 
land, and to them were born six daughters and 
one son, as. follows: Charlotte, who married 
Robert Thompson of Xeshannock township; 
Comfort, who married Adam Shoaflf of Xeshan- 
nock township, their children being named; 
Lot, William, Tibatha, George S., Qiarles. 
P., James, Nancy, George, and Smith, last 
four deceased; Elizabeth, who married Rob- 
ert Thompson of Xeshannock township, 
a nephew of the Robert Thompson men- 
tioned above — their children were. Xancy 
J., Eliza, William T., T. Mehard, and 
Charles; Margaret, the mother of our sub- 
ject, who married Alonzo Hosier of Xeshannock 
township, whom she bore one child, Chauncey; 
Sarah, who married Thomas Lindsey of Xeshan- 
nock township, and ihcy have one child living, 
Lilly Anne; Xancy, who married John Thomp- 
son of Xeshannock township, and has three chil- 
dren — Jane A., deceased, Robert S. and Sarah; 
Thomas F., who married Xancy Wilson of Bea- 
ver County, and has twelve children — Hillery 
W., Hugh P. W., Charlotte, Christina, Mary A., 
Dorcas, Kate P., James E., who died when con- 
fined as a prisoner of war in Andersonville Pris- 
on, James, who died in infancy, Harriet, Isa- 
bella W., and Amanda. (Jur subject's grand- 
parents were United Presbyterians, and his 
grandfather was a sturdy Whig in political con- 
victions. He died in 1853, and his wife followed 
him five years later, when aged eighty-four 
years. 

The first thirty-eight years of our subject's life 
were spent in acquiring an education, and then 



in work on the home farm; on Jan. 5, 1864, he 
enlisted in Co. H, looth Reg. Pa. \"ol. Inf.. un- 
der Capt. Lee Morrow and Col. Leasure, and 
remained in the service eighteen months and 
twenty days, being discharged by general order 
at tlie cessation of hostilities, and complete over- 
throw of the rebels. He then returned to the old 
homestead in X'eshannock township, where he 
has remained ever since with the exception of 
five years. At first a Whig, he easily drifted into 
the Republican ranks, and is now included 
among that party's Stanchest supporters in the 
township: he has been constable, overseer 
of the poor, and has also held the county 
office of jury commissioner for the full term 
of three years. 

He has twice taken upon himself the marriage 
vows. His first wife, whom he married in i860, 
was Nancy McCracken of Scott township, and 
by their union two children were born, one of 
whom died in infancy. The survivor, Xancy. 
married Charles W. Cox of East Lackawannock 
township, Mercer Co., Pa., and has three chil- 
dren: Jessie. Lulu, and Olive. His second mar- 
riage was with Mary Marks of Greenville, Pa., 
in 1870, and one child resulted from this mar- 
riage, Elizabeth lona. Mr. I'ay is a United 
Presbyterian in respect to his church member- 
ship and attendance. He has a fine dwelling, 
good barns and out-houses, a choice assortment 
of farming implements and accessories, and 
everything necessary for the carrying on of agri- 
culture in a first-class manner. He is one of the 
leading men of the county, and has contributed 
his share toward its progress and development. 
The Bay family have held an annual reunion 
ever since 1872. 



530 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

JOHN C. SHEARER, a leading agriculturist farming the rest of the active years of his Hfe. 

of Neshannock township, Lawrence Co., Pa., He was a stanch Democrat, and as he was a 

was born Nov. 29, 1830, in Mt. Jackson, five prominent and influential man, he was given the 

miles east of New Castle, Pa. ofifice of postmaster of Alt. Jackson under the 

His grandfather, John Shearer, who was born administration of President Martin \'an Buren. 

Sept. 14, 1772, was a native of Lancaster Co., In 1828, he was joined in wedlock with Mary 

Pa.; he married Jane Dawson, who was born Clark, who was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., 

May 19, 1771, and to them were born: David, in 1801, a daughter of L'riah Clark, and gathered 

born March 28, 1796; Robert, April 2},, 1798; about him a family of five children: Jane, born 

James, May 14, 1800; Margaret, Dec. 25, 1802; Dec. 26, 1829, who married William Breckin- 

John, Feb. 14, 1805; Nancy, April I, 1807: Jane, ridge, and has six children — Caroline, Alary, 

May 28, 1809; and one that died in infancy. Ella, Anna, Margaret, and William; John C, the 

They were Seceders in religious belief. John subject of this sketch; Catherine, born in Decem- 

Shearer died Feb. 23, 1841, and his wife June 17, ber, 1836, who married James H. Cline, a resi- 

1827. He learned the fuller's trade, and owned dent of Slippery Rock township, and a major in 

and operated a woollen mill in Quakertown, Pa. the United States Army, the children numbering 

He also owned a farm in Poland, Ohio. In New nine are named John, Frank, George, James, 

Castle he built a hotel on the present site of the Jacob, Edward, Mary, Eva, and Nettie; Harriet, 

Leslie House about 1828, which was called the born Aug. 7, 1840, married James H. Stoner of 

Spread Eagle. He ran this tavern until 1832, Lawrence Co., Pa., and they have two children, 

when he sold out to his son James, the father of Sadie and Charlie. The father of these children 

our subject, and retired from active business. He passed away March 14, 1873, and he was fol- 

was a splendid business man, and was adapted lowed by his wife Nov. 8, 1883. They were 

to almost any line of work, and by his diligent United Presbvterians in tlu-ir religious convic- 

efforts and excellent judgment, he accumulated tions. 

a fortune for those times, and was much thought John C. Shearer began his education in the 
of as a man of capital. Politically, he was a public schools of New Castle, later became a 
Whig, but never cared to have it come about to pupil of the Mt. Jackson schools, then continued 
have his popularity and influence reflect back to his education in the New Castle schools again, 
his political advancement. and concluded in the schools of Shenango town- 
James Shearer, who was born in Washington ship. (Jur subject remained under the parental 
Co., Pa., on the date above mentioned, ran the roof, and worked on his father's farm till the lat- 
hotel, after it was given into his hands by his ter's death, when our subject at the age of forty- 
father, several years, and also engaged in mer- three years sold the paternal estate, and moved 
cantile pursuits to some considerable extent, to Slippery Rock township, where he purchased 
Later on, he sold the hotel, and bought a farm the Rev. Robert McMillin's farm, where he lived 
in Shenango township, where he carried on for sixteen years. In 1890, he moved to New 




JAMES v.'ARD 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



533 



Castle, and three years later took up his resi- James Ward & Co. continued to roll metal until 
dence in Neshannock township. His farm is his death, July 24, 1864. Even from the time 
a fine one, and in the prosecution of his voca- when he was a boy, he was looked upon by the 
tion, which he has followed all of his life, he lias business men as possessing all the elements suit- 
met with far more than ordinary success. able for the vocation in which he was finally en- 
In 1893, he was joined in matrimony with gaged. By his ability and faithfulness to his bus- 
Mary J. Pomeroy, daughter of John Pomeroy iness he became a man of first rank in his chosen 
of Neshannock township. Tliey are attendants occupation, and filled out such a career as had 
of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mrs. been predicted of him. He was married in 1853 
Shearer is a member, while our subject in his to Miss Eliza Ditridge, daughter of WilKam and 



political views inclines strongly toward the Re- 
publican party. 



Elizabeth Ditridge, natives of Staffordshire, 
England. Seven children were born to thein, all 
of whom are dead, excepting James Ward, Jr., 

^^,^^, 'lie subject of this sketch. He was the first man 

to practically use pig iron made from raw coal, 
and was also the first to use black band ore. The 
JAMES WARD, a respected citizen of New furnace built by him in 1859 is still in use. There 
Castle, formerly engaged to a large extent in the were none who knew Mr. Ward but respected 
iron manufacturing business but now occupied his name and appreciated his character, Ener- 
in acting as attorney for the William H. Brown getic and forceful in business, he also was known 
estate, was born May 17, 1842, in Pittsburg, Pa. for his strict integrity and honorable dealings 
He is a son of James \\'ard and grandson of with whomever he came in contact. 
William Ward. William \Vard and his wife Sa- Upon the death of James Ward, Sr., his son, 

rah were born in Staflfordshire, England. Our the subject of this sketch, took charge of his 
subject's father, James Ward. Sr., was born near bu.siness and managed all the iron interests. He 
Dudley, StafTordshire, England; when he was built two more mills at Xiles, and one at New 
four years old his parents immigrated to Pitts- Philadelphia, Ohio. In 1884 his interests in the 
burg. Pa., bringing him with them. His educa- iron industry were relinquished, and in 1886 he 
tion was limited, and concluded when he was moved to New Castle as the attorney of the Will- 
thirteen years old. He then began life's work in iam H. Brown estate, in which capacity he still 
earnest, his first vocation being the assisting his continued to labor. 

father in the manufacture of wrought iron nails. Mr. Ward was married in 1863 to Lizzie L. 

This he continued until the age of nineteen, when Brown, daughter of William H. Brown of Pitts- 
he began the study of engineering, and remained burg, and they have had a family of six children, 
in tiiat profession until 1841. In 1842 he moved namely: James, Jr., now in Pittsburg: William 
to Niles, Ohio, and became interested in the H.. also a resident of Pittsburg; Charles S., who 
rolling mill business, and under the firm name of died at the age of twenty-one; Marv, who mar- 



534 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY., 



ried Jonatlian Warner, manager of the Sheet 
Iron Mill at Strouthcrs. (Jhio; Elizabetli, who 
died at the age of fourteen years; and a 
daughter, wlio died in infancy. We are pleased to 
Ije able to present on a previous page a portrait 
of I\Ir. \\'ard, that is an important addition to 
our pictorial gallery. 



WESTMINSTER COLLEGE. New Wil- 
mington, the site of Westminster College, is lo- 
cated on the Sharpsville railroad, which connects 
with the W. N. Y. & P. at Wilmington Junction, 
and with l.ioth the Erie & Pittsburg and the 
N. Y. P. & O. at Sharpsville. This excellent con- 
nection with the leading railroads of Western 
Pennsylvania makes it easily accessible from all 
points. 

The Colltge is incorporated by the State of 
Pennsylvania, and has full University powers 
entrusted to it. Its management is in the hands 
of a board of trustees, composed of forty mem- 
bers, of whom three are elected everv vear by 
the First Synod of the West, and three by the 
Synod of Pittsburg, which Synods are under the 
immediate control of the general assembly of the 
L'nited Presbyterian Church. The alumni have 
a voice in the management of college affairs, in 
that two members of the board of trustees are 
chosen by them at each annual commencement. 
Although the first class graduated in 1854, it 
appears from the records that the charter of tlie 
College was issued in 1852. Commencing with 
one graduate, the College has so steadilv in- 
creased in the number of its student-bodv. that 



in its forty odd years of existence over 1,000 
young men and women have received a colle- 
giate education, and have been graduated from 
its halls. From the summary given in the 1895 
catalogue, it appears that there was a total of 
148 students in regular college classes, and this 
aggregate number was very nearly equalled by 
the aggregate in the preparatory, music and art 
departments. 

The officers of the board of trustees are: Rev. 
E. N. McElree, D.D., president; Rev. J. W. 
Witherspoon, D.D., secretary; Joseph McNau- 
gher, Esq., treasurer. The faculty consists of 
the following; Rev. R. G. Ferguson, D.D., 
president and professor of mental and moral 
science; S. R. Thompson, A. M., professor of 
physics; JMargaret McLaughry, A. M., profes- 
sor of the English language and literature; John 
J. McElree, A. AL, professor of the Latin lan- 
guage and literature; C. C. Freeman. A. M., 
professor of mathematics and chemistry; 
Ina M. Hanna, B. S., professor of botany; 
Morgan Barnes, A. ;\I., professor of the 
Greek language and literature; Hanna E. 
Peebles, A. B., instructor in English; Alice Elli- 
ot, assistant in German; Daniel Hahn, director in 
music; Mary Cotton Kimball, assistant in mu- 
sic; Linnie Hodgen, instructor in art; W. J. 
Holmes, physical director; Rev. J. H. Veazey, 
financial agent; Margaret McLaughry, A. M., 
librarian and secretary. 

The classical course is a prominent feature in 
the College, from the conviction that it best se- 
cures such culture as meets the demands of a 
liberal education. The facilities for scientific in- 
struction have been greatly increased by the 
erection of a nt'w building, planned on the most 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



535 



approved modern lines, in which are housed all 
the scientific departments of the College. In tlie 
literary course, exceptional advantages are af- 
forded to gain an extended acquaintance with the 
most noted authors. Examinations for admis- 
sions are held in June and at the opening of the 
College year in September. The work of the 
College Y. .M. C. A. and Y. W. C. .\.. together 
with the thorough Bible study required in each 
of the courses, provides that Christianizing and 
refining influence, which will be always the Jjest 
feature of colleges that are managed by the gov- 
erning bodies of various Christian sects. 

Robert Gracey Ferguson, D.I). Dr. Fergu- 
son is sprung from the Scotch-Irisli race which 
has done so much for the advancement of edu- 
cation and religion in Pennsylvania, and has 
contributed so heartily to the growth and devel- 
opment of the natural resources of this part of 
the State. Mis grandfather. David l-'erguson, 
was born in the mirth of Ireland, and came to 
America and settled in Pennsylvania when a 
young man. His father was James Ferguson. 
Dr. Ferguson was born at Dry Run, Franklin 
Co., Pa., Feb. i6, 1842, and after preparing him- 
self for a collegtate education lie became a stu- 
dent at Jefferson College, graduating from that 
institution in 1862. His theological studies 
were pursued at Allegheny Seminary, and he 
was licensed to preach on the 12th of April, 1865, 
by the Monongahela Presbytery. He was form- 
ally ordained Oct. 17, 1866, by Big Spring Pres- 
bytery, and entered upon the duties of a pastor in 
the same year. During the period from 1866 to 
1874, in which he faithfully labored at Mercer- 
burg and tlic Cove, he made a reputation of 
being an able pulpit orator, and a thinker of 



high logical powers. In July, 1874, he went to 
Butler. Pa., and remained lliere as the pastor of 
the I'nitcd Prcsl>yterian Church uiuil the 8th 
of July, 1884, when he assumed the duties of his 
present position of responsibility. Dr. Fergu- 
son is a quiet, rather reserved man. One, how- 
ever, who knows Westminster of a few years 
ago and \\'estminster of the present day, cannot 
help giving Dr. I'erguson great honor for what 
he has done in iiis unassuming but effective way 
for the College. He is a master of both the 
science of teacliing, and of the practical admin- 
istration of college affairs. 



DAVID BARNETT, whose residence is at 
Xo. 52 Walnut Street, Xew Castle, where he is 
leading a practically retired life, was born in -Vl- 
legheny City. Sept. 29, 1835, 'i"'l 's a son of 
David, Sr.. and Jane (Thompson) Barnett. Jane 
Thompson, the second wife of David Barnett, 
Sr., was a native of Washington County, where 
she was born Dec. 5, 1806. David Barnett, Sr., 
also a native of Washington County, was born 
near Pigeon Creek, June 8, 1796; in April, 1808, 
although very young, he went to Pittsburg to 
learn the carpenter's trade, and served an ap- 
prenticeship of four years. After following his 
trade a few- years in Pittsburg as a journeyman 
carpenter, he went to Jefferson City, Mo., where 
he remained four years, and then returned to 
Pittsburg, where he secured a i)Osition with Mc- 
Clurg, Waite iK: Co.. and while in their employ 
helped to build the first locomotive on the Penn- 
sylvania Co.'s railroad. To men of the present 
day, who are familiar with the latest achieve- 



536 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



nients in the industrial wurlil, it may seem 
strange, but it is nevertheless a fact, that at that 
early stage in the development of the railroad, 
the trains ran on wooden rails, which were pre- 
served from wear antl breakage by being cov- 
ered with strap iron. When getting well along 
in years, David Barnett, Sr., moved to Slippery 
Rock township, Lawrence County, where he 
purchased a fine farm of i lo acres, and lived un- 
til his death at the age of si.xty-seven. ( >f his 
first marriage three children were born. His 
second union with our subject's mother resulted 
in six children, the eldest of whom was David 
Barnett, Jr., the subject of this sketch. 

David Barnett received his education in the 
district schools of Slippery Rock township, 
which schools he attended until he was eighteen 
years old. When he had attained his majority, 
he went to Nemaha Co., Kan., where he took up 
a c^uarter section of land as a pre-emption claim 
on Soldier Creek, where he lived eighteen 
months, and proved his land. He then came 
home, and enlisted at Pittsburg, August 28, 
1861, in Co. F, looth Pennsylvania \'olunteer 
Infantry, and was in the service four years lack- 
ing twenty-nine days, having re-enlisted in 
the field December 28, 1863, and was honor- 
ablv discharged and mustered out at Harris- 
burg, Pa., on July 28, 1865. He was engaged 
in Virginia and South Carolina the greater part 
of the time, and was in the following battles: 
Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Antietam, P^reder- 
icksburg, Siege of Vicksburg, Siege of Knox- 
ville, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Har- 
bor, and Petersburg. After the war, Mr. Barnett 
lived on the farm eighteen months, and then be- 
came a resident of New Castle, and shortlv 



afterwards opened a grocery store, which he 
conducted from 1867 to 1889 with very success- 
ful results, which have enabled him to retire 
from active work, and seek rest and content- 
ment the remainder t">f his life. 

March 3, 1864, he was married in Slippery 
Rock township to Martha Campbell, who was 
born in Shenango township, a daughter of John 
G. and Hamiah (Gaston) Campbell, the latter a 
daughter of Robert antl Anna (Matthewson) 
Gaston, both natives of Warren Co., Pa. John 
G. Campbell, a blacksmith by trade, was born in 
Lawrence County, of Scotch descent. His father, 
who began farming in Plain Grove township 
over a century ago, was married twice and was 
the father of twenty-two children. Cjur subject's 
wife was fifth in a family of twelve children born 
to her parents. She is a member of the United 
Presbtyterian Church, and of the Ladies of the 
G. A. R. ]\Ir. Barnett is a member of the G. A. 
R., LTnion Veteran Legion, and is also an C)dd 
Fellow. 



DR. GEORGE N. MEALY, a leading medi- 
cal practitioner of the borough of New Wilming- 
ton, Lawrence Co., Pa., was born in Claysville, 
Pa., Sept. 21, 1845. He is a son of Anthony 
]\Iealv, who is now the oldest citizen of Clays- 
ville, his birth dating back to 1816. He is a 
shoemaker by trade, and toiled at the bench with 
awl and last until he retired from active work. 
He married Jane jMcCaskey, who was taken to 
the abode of the blessed in 1890, at the age of 
seventy. The teachings of the Presbyterian 
Church embodied their ideas of their dutv to 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



587 



God, to their fellow-men, and to themselves, and 
well did they live up to the rigid standard of the 
church. Our subject's father is a Democrat in 
regard to his politics, and is very pronounced 
and decided in his opinions. For nineteen years 
previous to the Civil War, Mr. Mealy was post- 
master of the office at Claysville. and gave un- 
limited satisfaction by his courteous, painstak- 
ing, and obliging manners. He gathered 
around him in the home the following five chil- 
dren: Margaret (Warrell); Julia A. (Short); 
Rev. J. M. Mealy; Dr. George N., our subject; 
and Rev. Anthony A. Mealy. 

The subject of this brief biography received 
his primary education in the schools of his na- 
tive town, mingling and associating with many a 
bright young comrade in boyhood's pleasures 
who is now occupying some post of distinction 
and of honor. This common school education 
was added to and supplemented with the instruc- 
tion he received under private tutorship. Thus, 
well-equipped, he began the study of medicine 
with Dr. John Kelly and Dr. \'ance of Clays- 
ville, Pa., giving attention to his medical books 
in the summer, and still attending school during 
the winter. To bring to a completion his studies 
in the healing art, he entered Jefferson Medical 
College, and graduated towards the head of his 
class in 1867. His first year as an accedited 
physician was spent in Middlebourne, \V. \'a. ; 
he then removed to Sistersville, near by in the 
same county, and remained there in the enjoy- 
ment of a flattering practice until 1875, when he 
came to New Wilmington. Pa., where he is still 
engaged in active practice, being the oldest phy- 
sician of that place. Because of his long resi- 
dence in Wilmington township, he has a large 



and extended acquaintance over the township 
and beyond its borders. His many years of ex- 
perience have made him cool and practical in 
critical and important cases, and cause his skill 
as a physician of the old school to be thoroughly 
relied on. 

Dr. Mealy was married Jan. 2j, 1869. to Mary 
McAnall, daughter of Hugh McAnall, who was 
born near Wheeling. ^^^ \'a. Three children 
have resulted from this union, who are as fol- 
lows: Dr. Harry M.. who is practicing medicine 
in Palmyra, Ohio; Dr. John E., who ministers 
to the ills of a large circle of patrons in Girard, 
Ohio; Mary H., who lives at home with her 
parents. Like his father in many respects, Dr. 
Mealy still adheres to the Presbyterian faith, and 
in political struggles gives his hearty support to 
the Democratic party. He has fully developed 
in him the Christian virtues which are made still 
stronger with ever}- passing year that sees him 
still practicing his profession, for medical ex- 
perience has the effect of making a man sympa- 
thetic, true, and noble in every sense of the 
word. 



GEORGE W. ARROW, a highly respected 
citizen of Hickory township, where he is profit- 
ably following pursuits of an agricultural nature, 
was bom in Xeshannock township, Feb. 12, 
1847, 3nd is a son of John R. and Mary J. (Tur- 
ner) Arrow, and grandson of George Arrow, 
who was born in England and lived there all of 
his life engaged at his occupation of a jobber. 
To our subject's grandparents were born the fol- 
lowing children: Tobias; Thomas; Robert; 






BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, lAlVRENCE COUNTY. 



George; William; James; John; Elizabeth; ami 
a daughter, whose name is not given. 

John R. Arrow was born in England near 
Lancaster, and came to the United States in 
1844, settling in New Castle, tliis county, wdiere 
he first engaged in the mining of coal in Nesh- 
amiock township on what is now known as the 
People's Farm. Later in life he purchased a 
farm in Hickory township, the one now owned 
by his son, George W., the subject of this narra- 
tion, where he spent the remainder of his life in 
agricultural pursuits, his death taking place Jan. 
12, 1892, at the age of eighty-three years. His 
agricultural labors were crowned with success, 
and he left at his death two finely improved 
farms to his three sons. He was a man of un- 
questioned integrity, a good citizen, and has left 
an envialile record behind liim for honesty and 
moral worth. He inclined toward the Demo- 
cratic party in politics. His wife was a tlaughter 
of Gideon Turner of New York State; she bore 
him seven children: George \\'., our sul)ject; 
Charles, who married Matilda Cox of Wilming- 
ton townshii), and has a family of four — William, 
Mary, George, and Sylvester ; Thomas, deceased ; 
Harriet, deceased; Robert, deceased; John, who 
married a Miss Louise Lockhart, and lives in 
the West; and Franklin, deceased. Those de- 
ceased all died in infancy. The parents were 
consistent members of the M. E. Church. The 
mother died Feb. 28, 1870, aged forty-four years. 

George W. Arrow was educated in the com- 
mon schools of Neshannock township and Hick- 
ory township, and after completing his scliooling 
turned his attention to agricultural pursuits on 
the homestead, which was then still owned bv his 
father, but was purchased by our subject after 



his parents' death. He has a very good farm, 
with buildings tastefully arranged and kept in 
the best repair, and on all sides may be seen evi- 
dences of thrift and prosperity on the part of the 
owner. 

In 1872, he was joined in marriage bonds wiith 
Sarah Ann Mic'luael of Washington township, 
daughter of William Michael, and to Mr. and 
!Mrs. Arrow have been given three children: 
\\'iliam J., deceased; Wilhelniina; and John, de- 
ceased. In their religious belief, they strongly 
favor the M. E. Church, of which thev are mem- 
bers. 



JOHN BELL. Among the self-made men of 
Lawrence County, farmers by vocation, and 
men who have succeeded through their own ener- 
gy and perseverance, and to-day arc the proprie- 
tors of fine and productive farms, men who are 
passing the sunset of life in the enjoyment of a 
competency obtained through years of honest 
toil and economy, is the subject of this brief his- 
tory. His farm is nicely located in Neshannock 
township, not far from New Castle. He is a S(in 
of Edward and Barbara (Richardson) Bell, both 
natives of England. Edward Bell was a coal 
miner by occupation, and followed that occupa- 
tion throughout a long and singularly active 
career. He was as honest as the day was long, 
and no one could have been more upright and 
honorable in their dealings; naturally a hard- 
worker, it is not surprising that he was able to 
provide his family with many of the little com- 
forts so little seen among those who labor in the 
mines. He and his wife were blessed with the 




REV. FRANCIS JOSEPH EGER. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



541 



l)irth of three children, as follows: Catherine, Edward, who married Jennie Stinson of Croton, 

who married Joseph Ward, and lives in the State I'a., a snburh of Xew Castle, and had one child, 

of Illinois; Thomas, deceased; and the subject of Montgomery L., both parents are deceased; Jo- 

this sketch. Mrs. Bell dying in 1829, our sub- siah. who married Mary Donaldson of Mcshan- 

ject's father contracted a second union with Su- nock township, who bore him three children, 

sic Brown, by which marriage he had several Ji^hn, Carrie, and Margaret, and by his second 

more children. His death took ])lace in 1840, wife, Margaret McKee of Xeshannock township, 

when he was aged forty-five years. The family he became the father of fc)ur more children, Sa- 

were Methodists. die, Crover C, James, and Annie; Jennie, who 

John Bell of this history was born in Durham, married Seymour McWilliams of Illinois, and 

Eng., Sept. 18,1825. Until coming to this coun- has four children. Jennie, John, Mark, and an 

try in 1849, 'ic was engaged in the same line of infant; Catherine, who married Charles Miller 

work as his respected parent, and even after his of Xeshannock township, and lias two children, 

arrival in the United States, and for many years Edith and Eva: Delia, who married Edward 

thereafter, he was still engaged in mining as a Sergeant of Xeshannock townshi]), Init now of 

means of securing a livelihood. He settled at East Brook, Lawrence County, and has three 

first in Greenville, Pa., where he worked in the children, Abbie, Edward, and Mildred; Abbie, 

coal mines, going from there to Wheeling, West who married John \\'. Dinsmore of East Brook, 

Virginia, where he was employed in the ctsal and lias one son, John Alford; and Richard W., 

mines one year. He then went to Moundsville, a practicing physician, who married Margaret 

W. \'a., where he leased a coal bank, and worketl McGoun of Xew Castle; Sarah: Maria; William; 

it for about a year, disposing of the product to Johnnie; and an infant are deceased. The fam- 

the transportation companies, and at last selling ily is to be found among the regular attendants 

the lease itself to gootl advantage. In 1852 he of the United Presljyterian Church, 
moved to New Castle, Pa., and has lived in its 
vicinity ever since. After living in the city a 
short time, he moved to Xeshannock township, 
where he purchased a farm, and has since been 

engaged in its successful cultivation, and in min- REV. FRAXCIS J()SF,PII T-'CiER, pastor of 

ing coal to some extent. Mr. Bell is a man of St. Joseph's Chin-ch of the city of New Castle, 

great industry and excellent habits of life, and whose likeness a])pears on the opposite page, 

always secures the respect of tlie connnunity was born near Carrolltown. this .State, in 1863. 

wherever he chances to locate. He entered St. \'incent's College in 1874, and 

In 1850, he was joined in marriage with Isa- was ordained a ])riest in the Abbey h\ the Rt. 

bella Brothers, who was born Aug. 22, 1832, in Rev. Richard I'helan, D. D., on July 8, 1886. 

the State of Ohio. This union has been abun- He was then sent as assistant to the German 

dantly blessed with twelve children, as follows: congregation in Allegheny City. (")n the iitii of 



542 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



August, 1888, Fatlier Eger was appointed pas- 
tor of the churcli of New Castle; he arrived in 
New Castle August 23, and celebrated mass for 
the first time in the lecture-room of the old 
JefTerson: Street M. E. Church. On Sunday, Au- 
gust 26, t!he congregation assembled for the first 
time for public worship, and in the evening of 
the same day a congregational meeting was 
held. 

HISTORY OF THE CONGREGATION. 

Prior to Aug. 11, 1888, the date of Father 
Eger's appointment, there was but one Catholic 
church in New Castle, viz.: St. Mary's. Sev- 
eral attempts were made by the German Cath- 
olics of the city to organize a church but with- 
out success. During the winter of 1887-88 com- 
mittees were selected to call upon Bishop Phe- 
lan of the diocese and make known the religious 
wants of the German Catholics of Lawrence 
County. (Jn the third of Alay, 1888, a commit- 
tee of disinterested priests were sent to New 
Castle, and after a thorough investigation re- 
ported to Bishop Phelan that the need of a 
church in New Castle was great. The committee 
was composed of Rev. A. A. Lambing of Wil- 
kinsburg. Rev. F. Regis Canevin, chaplain of 
the penal institutions of Allegheny County, and 
Rev. Father Kaufman, pastor of St. Joseph's, Al- 
legheny City. All of these clergymen are 
Americans and natives of Pennsylvania. 

Father Eger having assumed charge of the 
parish, the First M. E. Church was purchased at 
a cost of $4,800.00. Tlie church was then over- 
hauled, inside and outside, and was ready for 
service Dec. 16, 1888. On that day the church 
was dedicated by Bishop Phelan, assisted by 



well-known clergymen of this diocese. A paro- 
chial school was opened in the basement of the 
church in ^larch, 1889, with an attendance of 
about fifty children. 

THE FIRE. 

About Q o'clock Monday morning, April 29, 
1892, St. Joseph's Church was almost totally de- 
stroyed by fire, which caught in some way from 
a flue. The fire burned rapidly and despite the 
hard work done by the fire department, the 
building was almost a total loss. 

THE NEW CHURCH. 
St. Joseph's Church, as recently dedicated, is 
a handsome structure. The entire building has 
been painted. There are three front entrances, 
two by the outside stairs and one opening di- 
rectly into the church proper. The interior of the 
church is finished in Wisconsin oak, and the 
woodwork was made in Chicago. The church 
will seat 600 people. The pews have high backs 
and the foot rests or kneeling benches are ar- 
ranged so that they may be swung up out of the 
way. The altars are beautiful, the high altar be- 
ing very nicelv finished. The statuary of the 
church is particularly fine. It was all imported 
and was presented to the congregation. The 
choir loft and confessionals are finished in wal- 
nut and ash, and are artistic in their design. The 
windows are beautiful and were all presented by 
members of the Sunday-school ana congregation 
and individual members. It is the intention of 
the congregation to have the walls and ceilings 
frescoed, but this will not be done at present. 
Altogether the church is a model of neatness and 
beauty, and reflects much credit on the congre- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



543 



gation. In connection with the new churcii it 
might be said here that St. Joseph's possesses 
the finest and largest pipe organ in this part of 
the State. It cost in the neighlx)rhood of 
$2,500.00, half the cost being defrayed by Leo- 
pold Rohrer, one of the parishioners. There is 
a school attached to the congregation. The chil- 
dren to the number of 180 are in charge of Sis- 
ters of Divine Providence. 



j( »ii.\ HINKSOX, a venerable and well-re- 
spected citizen of Hickory township, where he is 
engaged in blacksmithing and in performing all 
kinds of fine machine work, both setting up and 
repairing articles of husbandry, and tools and 
appliances made for use in the trades and arts, 
was born in Xew- Castle, Pa., June u), 1831. He 
is a son of Aaron and Anna (Horn) Hinkson, 
both of whom were natives of Philadelphia, Pa. 

George Hinkson, our subject's grandfather, 
who with his wife was a member of the Society 
of Friends, was born in the Keystone State in 
the near vicinity of Philadelphia, and was edu- 
cated and ])assed his boyhood days on the home 
farm. He learned the millwright's trade, and 
learned it and improved on his knowledge so 
well that bis services were in constant demand 
over a large part of the country, for he was one 
of the nu)st skilled of mechanics. He followed 
this trade more or less throughout nearly all the 
years of his singularly active and useful career. 
He settled in Hickory township, this countv, in 
1820, taking up a farm and giving it the best of 
attention and cultivation. George Hinkson's 



death took place in the 40's, and his decease was 
followed two years later by that of his wife. She 
was Kate Firlamb before her marriage; she bore 
her husband the following children: George; 
Preston; Aaron; VV'illiam; Jonas; Henry; Cyrus; 
and Nicholas. He was a Democrat in his poli- 
tics, but too unassuming to take a leading place 
in even local politics. They were honest, up- 
right people, who commanded the full respect 
and sincere admiration of all who knew them. 

Aaron Hinkson received his education in the 
schools of Belmont, and Canonsburg, Ohio, and 
at an early age learned the shoemaker's trade, 
and followed it several years after moving to the 
western part of Pennsylvania. He then settled in 
New Castle, where he plied his trade some four 
or five years until he moved to Hickory town- 
ship, where he received at his father's death fifty 
acres of the original homestead. There he fol- 
lowed his trade, and gave much of his attention 
to rural occupations, being considered a very 
able, industrious citizen, with a requisite amount 
of good judgment and energy to make a com- 
fortable home for his family, and to never have 
to feel the keen edge of w-ant. Like his father, 
the Democratic party was his first and last choice 
in the field of politics, and loyally and well did he 
support it, but never required the slightest favors 
in return for his valiant services. He married a 
daughter of William Horn of Philadelphia, and 
to our subject's parents were born the follow'ing 
children: John, the subject of this sketch; 
Thomas, who married Kate Gormley of Hickory 
township by whom lie had tw^o children: Sadie, 
who married Torrence White of Hickory town- 
ship, and Charlie Firlamb, who married Lizzie 
Fair of Mercer County, as his first wife — Willie 



5U BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

and Bina, both living, were the fruit of this On Dec. 25. 1854, he" was joined before the 

union; he married as his second wife, JMary I'at- altar with Caroline Weakly, daughter of Robert 

terson of Mercer, Pa., and they have five chil- \\'eakly of Alercer Co., Pa., and to them were 

dren, Jennie, Jessie, Frank, John, and Firlanib: given as a blessed heritage four children: Henry 

Sarah, who became the wife of James Reynolds C. : James S. ; Clara, deceased; and Frank B., 

of Neshannock township, and bore him Hannah, who married Ida Rhodes of Scott township, and 

deceased, Luther, Aaron, deceased, James ^L, has three children, Jesse, Benjamin, and Bertha, 

and Emma J.; Aaron, who married Maggie Our subject's first wife dying Oct. 23, 1893, he 

Young of Hickory township and has John, Han- then formed a second union with Annie Love of 

nail, Mary, James, Lewis and Kate. ( )ur sub- New Castle, Pa. Their religious attachments 

ject's father was also a member of the Friends identify them with the M. E. Church at East 

Society. His death occurred Jan. 29, 1891, when Brook, Pa. 
aged eighty-two years; he was preceded in the 

journey to the farther shore Ijy his wife, who dc- — '^ - — 

parted this life March 18, 1855, aged fifty-two 

years. DA\'ID W. CHRISTHi, master mechanic of 

John Hinkson, subject of this sketch, and old- the New Castle Electric Light Co., was born 

e.st child in the parental family, was educated in in Arbroath, Scotland, Sept. 15, 1867, and is a 

the schools of New Castle, and also in those of son of James F. and Flelen (Wilson) Christie, 

Hickory township, then known as a part of who were natives of that place. 

Neshannock township. He learned as a trade Our subject's father was a machinist by trade 

blacksniithing, and later on when a resident of and worked in the manufacture of locomotive 

New Castle thoroughly mastered the trade of engines, serving his apprenticeship in Scotland, 

machinist, which he followed for a number of He was an expert workman, and when he came 

years, when he came to Hickory township, and to this country with his family he easily found 

located on the old Hinkson farm, later taking up work in the engine shops of Bufifalo and Roches- 

a residence on the south branch of Hutenbaugh ter, X. V., but being seized with an attack of 

Run, where he put in operation a saw-mill, to malaria, and not liking this climate as well as 

which he afterwards added a machinist's lathe. that of his own bonnie Scotland, he returned to 

He is now doing a large and prosperous busi- his former home with his family, and has lived 

ness in the line of work of a machinist, and re- there since. 

pairs aO kinds of machinery in an unfailing sat- ( )f a family of ten children, nine of whom are 

isfactory manner. He is a Democrat in politics, now living, our subject was the eldest son. Fol- 

and is a strong advocate of political rights; for lowing is the record: Helen; Betsey; Mary; Da- 

a period of four terms he has held the office of vid W. ; James; Lizzie, who died young; Theo- 

commiteeman from Flickory township on the dore; George; Alexander; and Minnie. David 

Democratic County Committee. W. served his ajiprenticeship and learned his 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



545 



trade thoroughly in Scotland, and in 1886 re- 
turned to this country, arriving in Boston and 
worked in the Atlantic Works a short time, then 
in Xew York City, Philadelphia, and Pittsburg, 
being employed in the latter place in the Carne- 
gie works. He then settled in Xew C-astle, and 
served as master mechanic a few years for the 
S. \'. Steel Co., and then obtained his present 
situation with the Xew Castle Electric Light Co. 
Mr. Christie married Miss Catherine Ann 
Jones, daughter of Mrs. Margaret Jones, and 
born in Wheatland, Mercer County. Tliey have 
two children: Frank and Helen. Mr. Christie is 
a Republican, a member of the K. of P. Lodge, 
and an attendant of the I'nited Presbyterian 
Church. 



THOMAS S. LIXDSEY, deceased. This 
gentleman, who is familiar to the older genera- 
tions of Lawrence County, as one of the coun- 
ty's most progressive and prosperous agricultur- 
ists of the early day, was born in Mercer Co., 
Pa., in 1806, and died in 1866, being survived by 
his wife and a number of children and grand- 
children. 

George Lindsey, the father of Thomas, was 
an Irishman by birth and by parentage; he came 
to Penn-sylvania from the "ould sod" about 1770, 
and settled in Mercer County, where he pur- 
chased a farm in the vicinity of Wilmington, and 
was engaged in cultivating its virgin soil the re- 
mainder of his life, reaping and garnering splen- 
did crops by reason of his skill in gardening and 
agricultural work. He married Xancy Sampson, 
who bore him nine children: John: James; 



Robert; Elizabeth; Cieorge; Thomas; Jane; 
Xancy; and Boyd. They were upon coming to 
this country what were known as Seceders in 
religious belief, but later in life united with the 
United Presbyterian Church. 

Thomas S. Lindsey received his education in 
Xeshannock township, and followed the foot- 
steps of his father in adopting the vocation of a 
farmer as a means of support. He was a man 
who loved to see the most made of things, and 
his industry and exceptionally good judgment, 
which placed him among the first citizens of the 
township, were the subject of remark for long 
years after his death. He was at first a Whig, 
and then in 1856 became a Republican, as that 
party seemed destined then to succeed its parent. 

In 1831, he married Sarah Bay, daughter of 
William \'. Bay, a native of Xeshannock town- 
ship, and to them were born nine children: Lily 
Ann, who married McGiffin I'isher of Xeshan- 
nock township, and has four children — Melda 
J., Lawrence, William, and Sarah E. ; William, 
deceased, who married Mary A. Bay of Xeshan- 
nock township, and has three children — Fred- 
erick L., Thomas L., and Edna F. ; Lawrence, 
deceased; George, deceased; Margaret, de- 
ceased; Lizzie, deceased; John, deceased; Xancy 
Florenda, deceased; and an infant that died un- 
named. Mrs. Lindsey, who was born Oct. 16, 
181 1, and is therefore well-advanced toward the 
nonogerarian mark, is active and bright, and 
does not seem to be as old as she really is by 
twenty years. The family are I'nited Presbyter- 
ians, of which society ^Irs. Lindsey has been a 
member for sixty-five years, quite a wonderful 
record, and one that she may well be proud of, 
for it is not met with everv dav. 



Mii ■ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

WILLIAM H. BRABY. The gentleman, grew to large dimensions during the next four 
whose name stands at the head of this brief years he built a store-room and added a stock 
biograph}-, ranks among the first business of dry goods. In 1888, he again increased his 
men of the County of Lawrence, as a facilities and branched out still farther by adding 
man whose interests are many and lucrative, the departments of furniture and undertaking to 
and whose commercial operations for the past his other successful ventures. On Jan. i, 1897, 
twenty years have been mainly confined to he sold all of his mercantile interests, retaining 
Wampum and its vicinity. He was born in only the furniture store. In 1S94 he opened a 
Kingston, Canada, July i^. 1847. He was a son livery barn, being associated in this venture with 
of William Braby and his wife Marian, who was his son-in-law Charles C. Cunningham, and is 
a daughter of George Witherspoon, a powder- able to furnish the most stylish of conveyances, 
maker of Edinburgh, Scotland. William Braby as well as serviceable, in a reasonable length of 
was born near London, Feb. 2, 1806, and was a time. In 1896, he negotiated for the large sand- 
farmer by occupation, although twenty-two stone quarries that lie two miles south of Wam- 
years of his life were passed in the British Army, pum, and after satisfactory terms and arrange- 
where he reached the rank of sergeant. He was ments for payment had been made took posses- 
a son of William Braby, Sr., who was a game- sion, and began developing the resources of his 
keeper on a large landed estate in England. new venture, exhibiting his customary thrift 

Mr. Braby, our subject, was the fifth of a and energy in doing so. Mr. Braby is pre-emin- 
family of sixteen children. He has two brothers ently a self-made man, according to what is un- 
living in 'Wampum — one of whom is James, the derstood in the general sense of the word, for 
proprietor of a restaurant, and the other is Ben- he has relied on his own ability to make for him- 
jamin, a grocer. Air. Braby's residence in Cana- self a place in the world, and he has attained an 
da terminated at the age of sixteen, when he enviable position, being a thorough business 
started on the journey that found its end in Clin- man in every respect. He is serving his second 
ton, Beaver Co., Pa. For two years he was term as postmaster of Wampum, and he is a 
with his uncle, William Somerville, who dealt Democrat of the Jacksonian type to the very 
extensively in coal. He then became a clerk in backbone. He is a member of two secret soci- 
the store of Pierce. Somerville & Co., in the eties — Wampum Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., and 
same town, and remained with that firm a Xew Castle Lodge, F. & A. M. 
period of two years, and later with the Clinton Mr. Braby was united in marriage on Nov. 23, 
Coal Company sixteen years, during which time 1870, to Jennie E. Wilkinson, daughter of Will- 
his salary was gradually increased from $20 to iam S. and Alary E. (Robinson) Wilkinson. 
$150 per month. Three children blessed this marriage: Maude 

In 1877 our subject decided to branch out for AL, Lillian, and Alary. Alaude AI. became the 

himself in conmiercial life, so he opened a hard- wife of Charles C. Cunningham, son of H. Ira 

ware store in Wampum, and as his business Cunningham of Wampum, and they have two 




^^ im. ^ 




SAMUEL CLARK McCREARY. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



549 



children — Louis and Clare. Mr. and Mrs. Braby 
are regular attendants of the Presbyterian 
Church. Our subject is benevolent and kind, a 
good neighbor, a devoted father and husband, 
and is entitled to the confidence of his fellow- 
townsmen and friends, which he possesses to a 
marked degree. Oct. i, 1897, the Major & Mc- 
Cready Co., formerly in the dry goods business, 
and Braby & Snare, who were interested in the 
stone business, and W. H. Braby consolidated, 
and the stone firm is now known as the Wam- 
pum Sand Stone Co., and the grocery and dry 
goods business is under the style of the Beaver 
\'alley Supply Co. (Snare retiring from the firm 
of Braby, Snare & Co.) with main office at 
Wampum, Pa. 



SAMUEL CLARK McCREARY, a pros- 
perous agriculturist of Neshannock township, 
whose portrait may be found on the opposite 
page, was born in the above township, in 1838, 
and is a son of Thomas and Jane (Lindsey) Mc- 
Creary, and grandson of Samuel and Margaret 
(McCleary) McCreary. 

The grandfather of our subject came to this 
country from his native place in Union Co., Pa., 
with his wife in 1802, and settled in Mer- 
cer County, in that part of which is now 
a part of Lawrence County. He was a 
farmer by occupation, which calling, in 
connection with raising cattle for the mar- 
ket, continued to occupy his attention and to 
command his labors until failing powers de- 
manded his retirement; his death took place in 



1858, when he was aged eighty years. He 
worked hard and late, with an industry that is 
rarely seen or even equalled and was considered 
as a prosperous man of the time in which he 
lived, and would be considered well-off to-day, 
for he owned upwards of six hundred acres of 
valuable land. He was a supporter of Whig 
doctrines in politics. He and his wife were at- 
tendants of the Presbyterian Church. She bore 
him ten children, as follows: Enoch; Eliza; Eliz- 
abeth; Thomas; William; Jane; Martha; Find- 
lay; Margaret and \ancy. Grandfather Samuel 
McGreary served in the War of 1812. 

Thomas McCreary was educated in the 
schools of his native town, and upon arriving at 
manhood's estate chose agriculture as a life- 
work, and followed it all his life, also dealing in 
cattle, sheep, etc., to a considerable extent. The 
virtues of the father were continued in the son, 
and he too by industry and excellent judgment 
improved upon the patrimony left him, and be- 
came a leading citizen of his community. He at 
first wielded his franchise of a voter under the 
direction of the Whig party, but later became an 
earnest Republican, but would never accept 
office, although very active in the service of his 
party. His wife, before mentioned, was a daugh- 
ter of George Lindsey, and bore him the follow- 
ing children: Samuel C. ; Margaret, who mar- 
ried Robert D. Patterson of Union township, and 
made him the proud parent of five children — 
Thomas, Adella J., Nannie T. P., John D., and 
Kuhert H. S. ; George L., deceased, was a mem- 
ber of Co. F, looth Reg. Pa. \'ol., he died of 
wounds received in the army ; Baxter, who mar- 
ried Hattie Lee of the State of Iowa; Henry, 
who married Hilary A. Gibson of Wilmington 



550 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

township, this county, and has two children, and Harry D. The family are members of the 
George and Letitia; Nancy J., now deceased, United Presbyterian Church. Mr. McCreary is 
who married Thomas romeroy, and left him two an elder of the first L'. P. Church of New Castle, 
children, Margaret and Nellie. They were Mr. and Mrs. McCreary are highly esteemed in 
Presbyterians in religious belief. Mrs. McCreary their neighborhood and townshij), and are en- 
passed away in 1891, aged eighty years. Our titled to be classed among the first citizens, 
subject's father is still living and enjoying life at They are the friends of good order and system, 
the age of eighty-eight years. and are contributing their portion toward the 

The district schools of Neshannock township further jircigress of the connnunity, morally, so- 
furnished Samuel C. with a rudimentary educa- cially, and intellectually. 
tion. He worked on the farm until August, 

1861, when he enlisted for service in the defense m-*-^ > — 

of the L'nion in Co. F, looth Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., 

and served until Dec. 4, 1862, being discharged RE\". THOMAS W. WINTER, the subject 
at that time for disabilities received in the serv- of this personal notice, is one of New Castle's 
ice, losing a limb at Chanfilly, Va. On his re- most honored and respected citizens, who has 
turn, he managed the farm for a time, and seen many years of varied service in the minis- 
then took a course in the Iron City Piusiness terial field in the United Presbyterian Church. 
College of Pittsburg, Pa., and in 1872 was elect- He was born in Xenia, Ohio, July 27, 1828, and 
ed prothonotary of Lawrence County (common- was a son of William and Elizabeth (Cochran) 
ly known as clerk of court ) : in this capacity he Winter, the former of \'irginia but raised in the 
served six years, retiring Jan. i. 1871), returning State of Kentucky, ami the latter a native of 
then to his farm. He owns and cultivates ninety- Kentucky. 

six acres of valuable, well-improvetl land, devot- Stephen Winter, the grandfather of Rev. 

ed to general farming and stock-raising. He is a Thomas W., was born in London, England, 

stanch Republican, politically. Socially, he is a wh^re he followed his skilled trade of a lapidary 

member of the G. A. R. Post, No. 100, of New or cutter of precious stones. Pie drifted with the 

Castle, Pa. tide of emigration to the American colonies in 

In 1867, he was joined in matrimon\' with 1775, and settled in the eastern part of Pennsyl- 
Margaret A. Deemer, daughter of Benjamin and vania. The common cause of the patriots against 
Nancy (Rodgers) Deemer of Plain Grove town- King George and his minions for deeds of op- 
ship; five children have i)een the fruit of this pression, violence and injustice found in him a 
union: Jennie Al., wlio married William \'. Pish- ready sympathizer and a zealous soldier in the 
er and has two children, Margaret AI. and Lilly War of the Revolution, serving as a private 
Ann: Ira C, who is studying for the ministry at through many a weary and doubtful campaign, 
Allegheny, Pa.; Thomas E. married Miss Clan- for which service he drew a pension during his 
(line Shoaff of Nesliannr)ck township: Nancy E. ; life. He later rennjved to the State of Mrginia, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



551 



and he was living with his youngest son at 
Xenia, Ohio, at the time of his death, in .\o- 
vember, 1836, at the age of eighty-four years. 
He married Martha Linn, and their union 
proved fruitful in the birth of the following chil- 
dren: James, born Feb. 14, 1785; Joseph S.. 
March 13, 1787: Agnes, July 21. 1789; Eliza- 
beth, July ID, 1792; William, Dec. 14, 1795; 
Adam, Aug. 14, 1798: John, March 29. 1801 : 
and Joseph C, Feb. 9, 1808. They were mem- 
bers of the Associate Presbyterian Church. 

William, the fifth son and father of the subject 
of this short biography, after completing his edu- 
cation in his native town, early turned his at- 
tention to the tanner's trade, and served a num- 
ber of years as apprentice, and also as a partner 
with his brother James, but finally gave up that 
calling to engage in agricultural pursuits, in 
which line of work he \vas occu]>icd in Cirecne 
County, Ohio, in the vicinity of Xenia up to the 
time of his death, July 18, 1839. at the age of 46 
years. He was considered a well-to-do farmer, 
and was able to provide very well for his family, 
but was never able to lay by any large amount 
of money. In his political affiliations he w-as a 
stanch Whig, and was an especially firm and de- 
cided Anti-Slavery man. Public affairs, whether 
of local or national interest ever appealed to 
him, and he served very acceptably as county 
assessor, and settled a large number of estates. 
He was a very honest man, wliose reputation 
for strict integrity and uprightness had not its 
equal in the coiiunuiiity where he lived. He pos- 
sessed no small ability, that was exhibited not 
only in his farming operations but also in what- 
ever transaction to which he w^s a party. 
In iiis religious belief he followed in the 



footsteps of his father, and was an elder 
in the Associate Presbyterian Church through 
many years. His wife, Elizabeth, was 
a daughter of William Codiran, of Cyn- 
thiana, Harrison Co., Ky. There were 
born to our subject's parents the following 
named ten children, as follows: Mary J.; James; 
William C. : Martha; Marguerite A.; Rev. Thom- 
as W. ; Agnes; Mattliew H.; Elizabetb; and Jo- 
se])h L. 

From the district schools near his home our 
sui)jcct was advanced in tlie securing of an edu- 
cation to Xenia Academy, from where he went 
to Franklin College at Xew Athens, Ohio, and 
graduated from that institution in 1853. He then 
pursued a theological course at the Seminary 
in Cannonsburg, Pa., and was licensed to preach 
as a minister of the church in 1856. His first 
work was as a missionary in the State of Wis- 
consin. I le then was a pastor of a church in Law- 
rence Co., Pa., for eleven years, after which he 
was pastor in Adamsville, Crawford Co., Pa., for 
eight years, and in East Palestine, Ohio, for six 
years. He then retired from the arduous work 
in which he had been engaged for so many 
years, and in June, 1892, came to Xew Castle as 
a pleasant spot where he could settle down and 
take the latter years of his life in comfort, with 
no harrassing cares to disturb the mind. Mr. 
Winter has a large circle of friends w'ho delight 
to do him honor. He lias always been an adher- 
ent of the Republican party. 

His first wife, who was Miss Jane Scott of 
.Xew Athens, Ohio, died in 1859, bore him two 
children, namely: Frances R., who died in 1874; 
and Allison T., who is engaged in railroad work 
in Denver, Colorado. After the death of Mrs. 



552 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



Winter, <iur subject lived alone a number of 
years, and was then joined in niarriag'e witli 
Mary ]\IcClelland of Alt. Jackson, Pa., and from 
this union three children resulted: Elizabeth AL, 
Robert Ale, and William \\'. Airs. Winter's 
brother, WilHani AlcClelland, was adjutant-gen- 
eral under Governor Pattison at the time of his 
death, and before he was elevated to that office 
'he was captain of P>attery FJ, First Penn. Re- 
serves, having served four years in the War of 
the Rebellion. Dr. Rol)ert AlcClelland, Airs. 
Winter's father, who married a Aliss Mary 
Woods of Alt. Jackson, this county, was him- 
self a native of Ireland, being brought to this 
country when a lad of five years by his parents. 
He was engaged in the ]iractice of medicine for 
nearly thirty years in Alt. Jackson and vicinity. 
Few men were more highly respected or had 
greater influence in the community than he. In 
religion he was a I'nited Presbyterian. In poli- 
tics he was a Democrat, and served one term as 
a member of Assembly in the Pennsylvania Leg- 
islature. He died in 1869, in his 70th year. 



REV. ROBERT CURTIS STEWART, the 
esteemed pastor of Rich Hill and A'olant Pres- 
byterian Church of Wilmington township, Law- 
rence Co., Pa., whose residence is in the northern 
part of Hickory township, was born Alarch 2~ . 
1865, and is a son of Robert and Alelvina (West- 
lake) Stewart, both natives of Alercer Co., Pa. 

John Stewart, the grandfather of the subject of 
this notice, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and 
came from the north of Ireland to the United 



States when a young man, antl settled in Mercer 
Co.. Pa., where he purchased a farm, and en- 
gaged himself in its cultivation throughout the 
remainder of his life. He married Jane Nelson, 
a native of Ireland, and to them were born Will- 
iam: Benjamin: John; George; Robert and Sam- 
uel, twins; Eliza: Alargaret; and Alary. In their 
religion, they held steadfastly to the teachings 
and doctrines of the Al. E. Church, in which they 
had been raised. 

Our subject's father, after securing a common 
school education in Alercer County, learned the 
carpenter's trade, which in connection with a 
little farming remained his vocation. He is a 
stanch Republican, and uniformly shows his be- 
lief in its principles by casting a ballot at each 
election for its candidates. He married a daugh- 
ter of George Westlake of Alercer County, and 
to our subject's parents were born six children: 
Hannah, who married Frank AIcAlasters of 
Plain Grove, and has one child, Ethel; Alary, 
who married Edward Reynolds of New Castle, 
and has borne him four children, Edith, Blanche, 
Bessie, and Alinnie; Robert C; Edward, de- 
ceased; W^illiam, wdio married Sadie Dight of 
North Liberty. Alercer Coimty, who died and 
left him one child, Addie; and George. The 
family are Presbyterians. 

Rev. Robert C. Stewart received his primary 
education in the schools of Grove City ; he grad- 
uated from the high school in i8go. and then 
took a higher course, and graduated from that 
in 1892. He then entered the Western Theolog- 
ical Seminary, from which he received his dip- 
loma in 1895. He immediately commenced his 
service for God and humanity in his first field 
of labor, his present pastorate in W'ilmington 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



553 



townsliip. He has been an earnest and conscien- 
tious laborer in tlie vineyard of the Master, and 
is held in high estimation by his parishioners. 
In 1890, he married Clara Covert, daughter of 
Jacob Covert of Grove City, I'a., and to them 
have been given two children. R. Francis, and 
M. Leila. His views on jiolitics lean strongly 
toward the Prohibition i>arty. 



MRS. ELIZABETH J. BEAR of Hickory 
township, Lawrence Co., I'a., is the widow of the 
Rev. Richard M. Bear, a most highly respected 
Methodist clergyman, whose death took place in 
the city of New Castle, in 1888, when he was 
aged three score and ten years. Mrs. Bear was a 
daughter of Michael and Rebecca (Ramsey) Jor- 
dan, and granddaughter of Ilenrv Jordan, who 
was a native of Cicrinany. ( )ur subject's grand- 
father came to America when fourteen years of 
age, having been drafted into the British Army, 
and very soon after his arrival he took part in 
the Revolutionary War, joining the Continental 
Army at Xew York, deserting from the Piritish. 
He served through the remaining portion of the 
war as a private, and when discharged from the 
band of patriots, who had fought and bled in 
l-'reedom's cause, settled in what is now Wasli- 
ington township, Lawrence County, where he 
purchased a tract of virgin soit heavily timbered; 
he occu[)ie(l the rest of his years in clearing the 
tall forest trees, and in following the peaceful 
and honorable calling of an agriculturist, at 
which line of work he was very successful, taking 
high rank for general ability and excellence of 



work among his brother-farmers. Although not 
personally interested in politics, he was, notwith- 
standing, a strong partisan of the Democratic 
party. He married Elizabeth Marsheimer, a na- 
tive of Eastern Pennsylvania, and the fruits of 
their union were: John; Henry; Daniel; 
George; Michael; Susan; Elizabeth; Catherine; 
and Mary. They looked for religious counsel 
and upholding faith in the Presbyterian Church. 
Henry Jordan died sometime in the '40's, aged 
ninety-two years; his wife was called to join the 
ransomed ones on the other shore, when in her 
ninetieth year, in 1851 or 1852. 

Educational advantages in new sparsely set- 
tled districts of a country that is still poor in 
everything but its natural wealth, are sometimes 
unconventional in the extreme, and the school- 
house, wherein Michael Jordan, the father of our 
subject, received his education was much after 
the usual run of school-houses of that day, when 
out in the remote pioneer districts. It was, of 
course, built of logs, unhewn, with the cracks 
filled up with stiff clay; the windows were small 
and high in the wall, and because of the price of 
glass were glazed with oiled paper; everything 
was primitive to the last degree, but who shall 
say that the rudiments of learning imparted in 
such institutions, luider all kinds of obstacles. 
have not been of the greatest influence in mold- 
ing our life as a nation, and in kindling a spark 
of ambition for higher attainments that has led 
many a bright, barefoot boy to rise from one 
position to another, till his name becomes fa- 
mous, and his works have been given a place 
among the best works of the age. The American 
school-house should occupy a tender spot in 
every loval American's heart. When the school 



554 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

had done as much for him as it was able, he be- departed his hfe in 1873, ^nd his widow there- 
came a young farmer, but was also interested ex- upon, in 1877, married the Rev. Richard M. 
tensively in the buying and selling of horses. Bear, a Methodist clergyman, who was then lo- 
cattle, sheep, etc., and at one period was success- cated at Mt. Jackson, Pa., and who for many 
fully engaged in the mercantile business. His years was a member of the Erie Conference, 
was a well-rounded, vigorous character, and his After his marriage with our subject he filled pas- 
energies intelligently directed in whatever direc- toral positions in Jamestown, Pa., Middlesex, 
tion always lirought him wealth and a farther Pa., Fredonia. Pa., and Volant, this county. Mrs. 
rise in his station ; money once acquired became Bear's grandmother, Sarah Taylor, was the first 
the nucleus of a larger amount, and kept on in- white woman who crossed the Slippery Rock 
creasing indetrnitely. He has spent all of his River; she was a distant relative of Zachary 
life in Washington township, where he is looked Tavlor. 
upon with respect as a leading citizen. He mar- 
ried Rebecca Ramsey, daughter of James and 
Sarah Ramsey, who were both natives of West- 
moreland Co., Pa., and of this union there re- 
sulted four children: James, who died in 1844, LF.WIS BANKS, a well-to-do and much re- 
aged seventeen years: Sarah A., deceased at spected farmer of Hickory township, was born 
seventeen years of age; Maria, who married on the farm, where he now lives, Nov. 21, 1852. 
Thomas Martin of Washington township, and and is a son of James L. and Sarah A. (McDow- 
has a family of three children, Agnes, Eliza- ell) Banks, and grandson of James Banks, who 
beth, and Margaret: and Elizabeth, the subject was born in Juniata diunty. and came to Lavv- 
of this sketch. Mrs. Jordan died in 1851, aged rence County in 1817, settling in Neshannock 
forty-two years. Michael Jordan died in 1888, I-^alls in Wilmington township, where he pur- 
aged eighty-six years. chased a farm that was still covered with its na- 
Mrs. Bear has been married twice. Her first tive growth of timber. He followed farming all 
marriage was in 1850 to Alexander McDowell, a of his life, and proved himself to be of eminent 
native of Neshannock township (now Hickory), service to the community of which he was a resi- 
and by this union she became the mother of three dent. He married Mary Law of Juniata Co., Pa., 
ahildren: Rebecca and Rachel, both of whom and to them were born six children: Elizabeth; 
died in infancy; and Hannah M., who became James L. ; Rebecca A.; Margaret; and Andrew 
the wife of Eliphaz B. Wilson, a native of Hick- and Mary J., twins. They were Presbyterians, 
ory township, and has five children, Lillie, de- and followed the rules of life as laid down by 
ceased. Bertha (Mrs. E. Snodgrass) of Allegheny that religious society. 

Pa., who has one child, Robert. Alexander Mc. James L. Banks was also a farmer by occupa- 

who is studying for the ministry, Elizabeth, and tion. and kept up an uninterrupted work on his 

Paul. Mr. McFJowell, who was boru in 1827, farm until the outbreak of the war. He then en- 




COL. ROBERT B. McCOMB 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



557 



listed in Ihe service of tlie <:;iiveniiiHnt witli tlic 
three months' men in the lootli Reg. Pa.\()l. Int., 
or, as it was popularly railed, the "Round Head 
Regiment"; the company in w'hich he was placed 
was under the command of Capt. Leasure. He 
was not permitted to see home or its loved ones 
again, for his death t<}ok place in I'eaufort, S. C, 
in 1862, when he was forty-five years of age, his 
birth having been in 1817. In 1841, his mar- 
riage with Sarah A. McDowell, a daughter of 
Samuel McDowell of Westmoreland County, but 
latterly a resident of Hickory township, tliis 
county, took place, and this union resulted in the 
birth of five children: Josephine, who married 
James Quest of New Castle, I'a., and has a largo 
and flourishing family of nine children — James, 
Edwin, Addie, Wallace, Mack, William, Lizzie, 
Mont, and Sadie; Samuel A.; Lewis, the subject 
of this brief personal history; Eva, who married 
Joseph Pyle tif Xeshannock townslii|), and liad 
four children — LeRoy E., James McDowell, 
Sarah E., and Gertrude Josephine; Edmond, 
who married Miss Rosa Rentley of Xew York 
State, and has one child, Thurman — his second 
wife was Miss Mollie I-'letcher of Thurman, 
Iowa, where they now reside. In their religious 
/iews, they favored the I'nited Presbyterian 
Cluirch. 

Lewis Panks finished his schooling satisfac- 
tr—ily in the district schools of his native town, 
an 1 when still a very young man took up farm- 
ing on the old home farm, where he has remained 
ever since, and where he takes care of his aged 
mother. 

In 1880, he was joined in matrimony with 
Jemima McKee, daughter of Thomas McKee of 
Neshannock township, and this union has result- 



ed in the birth o\ three children: Stewart, who 
lives at home; Gertrude, deceased; and Bertha 
Adelle. In politics he is a stanch Republican, 
but tiie alluring promise of political advancement 
has never tempted him to enter the field of ac- 
tive partisanship. He is a good citizen and 
valued member of society and reflects honor on 
his excellent and worthy ancestry. In the mat- 
ter of religious attachments, he is a member of 
the I'nitefl Presbyterian Church of East Prook, 
Pennsvlvania. 



COL. ROBERT B. McCOMB, a iiromincnt 
politician and lawyer of Xew Castle, too well- 
known to the residents of Lawrence Co., Pa., 
to need any introduction, was born Aug. 15, 
1820, in Mercer Co.. Pa. Me is a son of Malcolm 
McComb. and a grandson of Robert McComb, 
who was born near \\'ilmington, Del. After his 
son Malcolm moved to Mercer County, he came 
also in 1808, and remained until his death at the 
age of seventy-seven years. He married Jane 
Stevenson, and they reared seven children. 

Malcolm McComb, the second son, was born 
in 1792. and in 1806 came to Mercer County 
and cleared a farm in Lackawanna township, 
where he died in 1849. He married Jane Sum- 
merville, who died at the age of seventy years. 
Si.x children were born to them, of whom our 
subject was the second .son. 

At the age of seventeen years he began to 
learn the trade of a cabinet-maker, and in 1839 
went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained 
until 1843, when he returned to New Castle. In 
1851, he undertook the study of law under the 



558 BOOK' OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

direction of D. P.. Kurtz, and was admitted to JOHN' W. WADDINGTOX. The business 
the bar in 1853. Durins,'- the same year he was of general merchandismg in a community like 
elected to the lower branch of the Legislature. East Brook, Hickory township, this county, is 
In 1855 he was re-elected, and at the organiza- alwavs of considerable importance. The man 
tion of the House was made chairman of who has the faculty to carry this on successfully 
the Connnittee on Ways and Means. His posi- becomes an important factor in its general pros- 
tion on this committee caused him to examine perity, and, indeed, to a considerable extent, de- 
into the revenue system of the State, and the terniines its standing, for b_\' his good judgment 
inequality of our mode of ta.xation; lie then first he mav lead his patrons and the people of the 
conceived the idea of abolishing the tax upon conimunitv at large to desire the best goods and 
real estate for State purposes, and proposed to refuse to accept anything but what is superior 
make up the deficiency in the revenue by levy- in its line. Mr. Waddington has been such a 
ing a tax upon the gross receipts of railroad merchant, and has dealt in all the articles re- 
companies, reasoning that real estate had to bear quired by the household from provisions to 
the burden of local taxation, which was enough clothing and embracing all intermediate articles, 
on that class of property. The tax on real es- Our suliject is a son of John ami Sarah J. 
tate was ultimately abolished. During this ses- (Fisher) Waddington, and grandson of Benja- 
sion he also drafted the Sunday Liquor Law. In min and Nancy (Burnley) Waddington. Benja- 
1856 he was again re-elected. He is a Republi- min Waddington was born in 1798 in Leeds or 
can, and holds that our prosperity depends upon Eccleswell, Eng., and came to this country with 
the protection of American industries, and a the desire to better his condition in life in 1832, 
purely national currency, adequate to the pro- settling in Beaver County at first, later moving to 
ductive power of the people. what is now Hickory township, where he pur- 
In 1862 our subject served as colonel of the chased a farm, and engaged in agricultural pur- 
14th Reg. Pa. Vol. Militia Inf., and in 1863 was suits a short time. His trade was that of a wool- 
at the head of the 55th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf. Col. spinner, and so we next find him interested in 
McComb married Anna L. (Guerard) McGuffin the manufacture of woolen goods at East Brook, 
of Savannah, Georgia, and has one child, Har- Hickory township. He lived in the latter place 
riet G., who became the wife of Lewis B. Ham- until 1872, when on account of his wife's death, 
ilton of Waterbury, Conn. Mrs. McComb was, he moved to Fort Wayne, to live with his son 
before her marriage to Col. McComb, the wife William, where he died in 1875, aged seventy- 
of the late John A. McGufifin, and by this union seven vears. He was a very active, progressive 
there was one child, J(ilianna, who married W. man. and was considered a very prosperous citi- 
N. Rodgers of Savannah, Georgia. Col. Mc- zen. His wife, who was like him a native of 
Comb's portrait is shown on a preceding page, England, bore him these children: John: Wilkes, 
and is an excellent likeness of a gentleman who who married as his first wife a Miss Simington 
IS prominent, popular and successful in life, of Wilmington township, as his second wdfe 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



559 



Nancy Galloway of Beaver County, who bore 
him three children. Joseph, George, deceased, 
and one that died in infancy, and as his third 
wife Catherine Lint by whom he had William. 
Benjamin, Frank, and C. Andrew; Sarah, who 
became the wife of Alexander Carpenter of East 
Brook; Benjamin, who married Abigail Mc- 
Donald of Brighton tow-nship, Beaver Co., Pa., 
and had six children — Laura, deceased, Joseph. 
Horace, Cora and Nellie, twins, and Lawrence, 
deceased; William, deceased, who married Rose 
A. Andrews of Pittsburg, Pa., and had three chil- 
dren — Jane, Walter, and Benjamin; Thomas, 
whose first wife was Bell Book of Scott town- 
ship, this county, by whom he had three chil- 
dren, Charles W., Seth, and Emma, and whose 
second wife was Anna Emery of .Scott township, 
who bore him Sylvester, Thomas and William; 
Louisa, who nrarried John Lankar<l and had 
two children, Ella and Mary, and then at her 
husband's death married William Bright of Ft. 
Wayne, Ind., and had three more children, Ben- 
jamin, I'annic, and Flora; Emeline, who married 
John Chriswell of East Brook, and had one child, 
Emma (O'Neil); J. Seth, who married Jennie 
Howard of Allegheny. Pa., and has five children, 
Emma, Lcnnie. Fannie. Howard, and Cora. 

John Waddington. the eldest son of Benjamin, 
was born in England, in 1819, and came with his 
father from the old country in 1832. and settled 
in Beaver County and in a short time came to 
East Brook, which was then in Neshannock 
township. Hickory township not having been 
set off at that time; he was one of the pioneers 
of the village, there being only two houses then 
to mark what has become a thriving business 
center. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade in 



Beaver County, and followed the same until 
1854, when he moved his family to East Brook 
and he himself went to Crestline, Ohio, where 
he served as baggage-master a few months, re- 
turning at the conclusion of his service to East 
I'.rook; he engaged in mercantile pursuits 
until 1884. when he retired from active business 
life, devoting his time to the duties of his offi- 
cial position as postmaster of East Brook, till 
the date of his death. He was one of the first 
postmasters, his father-in-law, John Fisher, 
being the first. His activity far exceeded that 
of the ordinary man. and his energetic nature did 
not seem to be content unless important meas- 
ures were being rushed to completion. In poli- 
tics, he was a Whig, and then a Democrat, and 
served in various township offices, such as school 
(lirector. auditor, etc. On June 13, 1844, he was 
joined in matrimony with Sarah J. Fisher, 
daughter of John I-'isher of East Brook, Pa.; she 
was born Oct. i. 1825. Nine children, as fol- 
lows, were the fruit of this union: Isophene, 
who married Hezekiah McCreary of East Brook, 
and has three children — Frank L., Lennie, and 
JohnT. ; Charles L., who married Augusta Bau- 
man. and has rvvo children — William and .\nna 
L. ; Ollie, deceased; John W.. our subject; Sarah 
J., who married Benjamin C. Rhodes of East 
Brook, and has two children, John W. and Cora; 
Anna ^L; Emma, who became the wife of El- 
mer Shafer of New Wilmington, and has one 
child. Harry; two died in infancy, naniod Nancy 
and Laura. 

John W. Waddington was born March 12, 
1857, received his elementary education in the 
common schools of East Brook, and finished 
with a college education at Beaver College, and 



560 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

also at New Castle, Pa. As soon as his school jority he has always supported the Republican 

days were fairly over, he engaged in the nier- party, and now occupies a prominent place in the 

cantile business with his father in iSjy, and con- local councils of that party; he is now a member 

tinned with him until 1881, when he purchased of the Republican County Committee from 

the latter's business and in company with his Hickory township. He has been auditor for 

brother-in-law, B. C. Rhodes, ran the store one three years, and is at the present time a school 

year on a partnership basis, when Mr. Rhodes director; he has also been postmaster under 

jnirchaseil the stock of goods and good-will of Cleveland's administration, but resigned, his 

the business of our subject and carried on the place being filled bv Mr. Chambers. Socially, 

business alone one year, during which time Mr. he is a Mason, and belongs to Mahoning Lodge, 

Waddington was engaged in dealing in stock of No. 243 of New Castle. He is also a member of 

all kinds. In 1884, he bought the store of Mr. the Protected Home Circle, Junior Order of 

Rhodes and carried on the business himself for United American Mechanics, and Ancient Order 

two years, selling out at the expiration of that of United Workmen. In his religious attach- 

period to T. \\'. Chambers. Mr. Waddington ments, he is a member of the M. E. Church, 
then movetl to New Castle, and accejited an im- 
portant position in the new rod mill as foreman, 
and continued to serve in that capacity for two 
years and a half. He then in company with his 

aforetime partner. P.. C. Rhodes, purchased the MRS. FLORENCE L. PHILLIP, the widow 
stock of grocers Kay & Wilkinson of New Cas- of the late Ephraim Phillip, is a woman whose 
tie, and contlucted a stand in the citv until our influence for all that is good has been long felt 
subject disposed of his interest, returned to East and recognized in and about North Beaver 
Brook, and has been located there ever since, township. For man)- years she and her devoted 
He is evidently on the high road to prosperity, is husband lived in harmony, rearing a well-trained 
a fair and scjuare business man, and, though still family, and doing good to all who came within 
young in years, has made his mark in the com- the range of their Christian influence, 
munity of which he is a resident and honored Mrs. Florence L. (Gilmore) Phillip was a 
citizen. He has a large and increasing trade, daughter of highly-respected parents, Joseph 
and is esteemed throughout the county for his and Sarah (Pitts) Gilmore. She married the late 
strict business principles and upright character. Ephraim Phillip, nobly assuming the care of sev- 
His marriage with Amanda Jordan, daughter eral children born to him by his first wife, who 
of George Jordan of Washington township, was died at an early age. Ephraim Phillip was the 
celebrated March 12, 1879, and this happ\- union son of Ephraim and Anna (Newton) Phillip, 
has resulted in the birth of six children: Will- Ephraim Phillip, Sr., was a native of the State 
iam; Frank; Ollie, deceased; Lennie, deceased; of New Jersey, as was his wife; after their mar- 
Gertrude: and John. Since arriving at his ma- riage they journeyed to Lawrence County and 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 561 

purchased a place near Enon \'allcy. The coun- known as Willow Grove. He and his wile also 

try was then new, and a log-house was their first donated two lots for the site of a school-house 

abiding-place; this nule building continued to in their neighborhood. The story of the life of 

be their home until Mr. F'hillip began to manu- Ephraini Philli]) is that of liis wife now left be- 

facture brick from a fine bed of clay he found hind. In all tiie busy affairs of life, she was his 

on his estate, and thus was provided with the companion and adviser. He was a good busi- 

material for a new house. A brick structure was ness man, and an active and respected citizen, 

accordingly erected, and is standing to-day, a He was a true, earnest Christian in every sense 

tribute to his excellent, painstaking work. Being of the word. She was (|uite as devout and fully 

located on the State Road he saw a chance to as sympathetic. 

make money in the tavern business, which he Mr. rhillii)'s first wife was Lucretia Kelso, 
followed for some time. He also built a saw- who at her death left him four children, namely: 
mill, and did a great amount of custom-work for Alexander C: Annie: Sadie; and Elizabeth, 
the early settlers thereabouts. He died at the Though they lost their own dear mother, these 
early age of forty-three years, having acconi- children found another as loving and as pains- 
plished very much in that comparatively brief taking. The children born to Ephraim and 
period. His children were: Thomas, deceased; Florence L. Phillip were: Goldie Idena, born 
Catherine; Isaac X., deceased; Sarah; Ephraim. Dec. 8, 1887; Orlando Russell, Nov. 15, 1889; 
Jr.; John Taylor; Mary, deceased; Charles M.; and Floyd Wendell, Feb. 26, 1892. 
and Thomas W. Ephraim Phillip, tlic younger. In her beautiful home, surrounded with the 
and the Inisband of the subject of this sketch, things that make life worth the living, Mrs. Phil- 
was born in Little Beaver township. Feb. 23, lip now resides. She devotes her time to her 
1824, and died April 29. 1897. He was known growing children, and no one could be a truer 
from his youth up as a man possessed of the mother. With all the varied duties of home, she 
highest Christian attributes and virtues. Edu- always finds time to listen to the .story of the dis- 
cated at the Meadville Academy, he in early life tressed, and to extend a helping hand to the 
preached the gospel and assisted in the erection needy one. destitute of the necessities of life, 
of the Disciples Church at New Castle, Pa. The loss of her beloved and respected husband 
Later in life he retired from active work in the was a great one to her, and he was none the less 
ministry, and purchased tlie beautiful home, now mourned by the community. It is a comfort to 
the home of his honored wndow. Many improve- his widow to know in what esteem he was held, 
ments were added as time passed. His attention how his Christian character is cited as a model. 
was given over chiefly to agricultural pursuits, and how he is missed by all those who used to 
and his devoted wife ably seconded him, what- know him. She, however, is ably using the 
ever the interests were that were at stake. On a means in her control to be of the same use and 
part of his estate, he erected five cottages, and the same good that they w^ould unitedly have 
sold ofif lots from the portion which is now been had he been spared. 



562 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



DR. ROBERT G. BOAK, a leading physi- 
cian of East Brook, Hickory township, was born 
in SHppery Rock township, this county, Marcli 
i6, 1865, and is a son of Charles and Eleanor A. 
(Weller) Eoak, the former of Scott and the lat- 
ter of Slippery Rock township. 

Charles Boak, Sr., the grandfather of Dr. 
l^oak, was a native of Ireland; he came to Am- 
erica with his parents when a lad, and settled 
with them in eastern Pennsylvania; when he 
grew up, he bade the old home and the loved 
ones there good-bye and came to Scott town- 
ship, where he purchased a farm in the near vi- 
cinity of Harlansburg, wdiere, in connection with 
farming, he found time to profitably employ him- 
self in the winter months teaching school. He 
was a very intelligent, well-read man. whose 
opinions and ideas were well-grounded on es- 
tablished facts; his ability as a school-teacher 
was recognized, and many old settlers of that 
part of the county still remember with pleasure 
the good lessons tauglit them by Mr. Boak. His 
family was constituted of the following children: 
Rebecca; Aaron; Peggy; Charles; Sarah; Mar- 
tha; William; Washington; Mary A.; and Eliza. 
They were United Presbyterians in their relig- 
ious sympathies. 

The father of our subject completed his edu- 
cation in Scott township schools, and then 
turned his attention to farming, which he fol- 
lowed all the years of his life given over to active 
lal)or in Slippery Rock township; in 18S7, he 
moved to New Castle, where he lived in retire- 
ment until his death. He bore an excellent repu- 
tation as a successful and prosperous farmer, 
who ever lent himself to the promotion of the 
best interests of his locality and township. He 



was a stanch Republican, and held several offices 
at the disposal of his fellow-townsmen. His 
wife, wdio was a daughter of William Weller, 
made him the proud and happy parent of seven 
children, namely: Charles, who married Carrie 
Badger of Portersville, Butler Co., Pa., and has 
one son, Clyde; Mary, who married William 
Joiner of Louisville, Ky.; Thomas, who married 
Maggie Alford of Slippery Rock township, and 
has one son, Howard; Robert G., the subject of 
this notice; Agnes, who married Phillip Sechler 
of Slippery Rock township, and has one child, 
Gula. Mrs. Boak died in 1890, aged sixty-three 
years, and her husband followed her to the land 
of rest three years later at the same age. They 
were members of the Presbyterian Church. 

Dr. Robert G. Boak obtained an elementary 
education in the district schools of his immediate 
neighborhood, and in the State Normal School 
of Edinboro, Pa. After having advanced thus 
far, he taught school for seven vears, during 
which time for the space of one year he read 
medicine under the direction of Dr. Charles 
Hunt of Princeton, Pa., not neglecting his duties 
in the least. He then entered the Baltimore 
Medical College of Baltimore, Md., in 1893, and 
after one year changed his location, becoming a 
medical student in the medical department of 
the Western University of Pittsburg, Pa., from 
which he graduated in 1897. Having determined 
beforehand on East Brook as a suitable location, 
he at once opened an office in the village, and 
entered upon the active practice of his profes- 
sion. He has obtained in short time the good- 
will and patronage of the people of East Brook 
and its vicinity, who regard him as a well-read, 
enterprising member of the medical profession. 





DR. EDWiN S. COOPER. 



BOOK OF BfOGRAPHlES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



565 



who has at his command the latest methods in 
the treatment of diseases, and the requisite 
knowledge and abiHty to use them successfully. 
His many friends are united in wishing him the 
best of success. 

In 1886, he was joined in marriage with Min- 
erva McCurdy, daughter of Abraham McCurdy 
of Princeton, Pa., and their home has been 
blessed with the arrival of two children, W. Earl 
and Robert C. The family has identified itself 
with the Presbyterian Church in all its good 
work. 



DR. EDWIX S. COOPER, a rising young 
physician of New Castle, with abundant prom- 
ise for a brilliant future in tiie medical profes- 
sion, who is practicing, in partnership with his 
brother, T)r. Joseph L. Cooper, with offices lo- 
cated at 33-35 South Jefferson Street, was born 
Jan. 3, 1872, and is a native of Lawrence County. 
Up to the age of fourteen years his life was 
spent in Taylor township, his education being 
begini in its public schools. At that age he re- 
moved with his parents to New Castle, and from 
its schools advanced to the Grove City College 
of Grove City, Pa., where he remained until the 
spring of 1892. in the fall of that year he com- 
inenced the study of medicine, reading under the 
direction of Iiis brother, Joseph L., until the fall 
of 1893, when he entered the Western Pennsyl- 
vania Medical College, and graduated from that 
institution March 25, 1896. He at once located 
with his brother in New Castle, and is assisting 
in building u|) a .-ijilendid j^ractice. lie is an ex- 
ceptionally bright and intelligent vmuig man. 



and has borne and still bears the reputation of 
a hard student, whom no obstacles of whatever 
magnitude can deter from the path of patient 
and continued research in lines peculiar to his 
profession. He has won many friends and estab- 
lished i|uite a large clientele since his location 
in the city as one of the leading physicians. With 
the prestige for successful results that he has 
already gained his future looks particularly 
bright, and our best wishes go with him in his 
noblest of professions. Politically he is a Repub- 
lican. 

Dr. Cooper's great-grandfather, Robert Coo- 
per, was born in County Down, Ireland, and 
came to this country about the year 1790, set- 
tling in Alleg^heny Co., Pa., where he reared his 
family and saw to it that they wanted nothing 
that would enable them to attain the highest 
manhood and womanhood. His son, James 
Cooper, was born in Allegheny County in 1796, 
and in 1843 nioved to Lawrence County, where 
he died in 1861. He married Elizabeth McLes- 
ter, who lived to be seventy-six years of age, 
and they became the parents o\ seven children, 
three boys and four girls. 

The father of Dr. Edwin S., Robert Cooper, 
was the second son of James Cooper in order 
of birth, and first saw the light of day in 1823. 
He came from Allegheny County to Lawrence 
with hi.^ parents, and with his brotlier David 
bought a farm on Sheep Hill. Just south of New 
Castle, paying $10.00 per acre for the tract of 
100 acres. This jjroved to be one of the very 
best investments that could be made, for the 
farm fortunately happened to overlay a bed of 
superior limestone of the best quality; up to the 
present time only al)out fifty acres have been 



566 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

worked and quarried, leaving a large fortune the spring- of 1879, ^^'li'^" lie removed to East 

yet to be extracted from the bowels of the earth. P)rook, which has been his permanent location 

The farm is still in the hands of the Cooper fam- since. In 1871, having found a suitable partner, 

ily. Robert Cooper married Nancy A. Jackson, i^Iary Lehman, daughter of John Lehman of 

who, with the follmving children, survived him Middle Lancaster, accepted his hand and became 

at his death in 1892: James II.; Elizabeth his wife. The children, who constitute the house- 

(Canii)bell); Leander; Dr. Joseph L., our sub- hold are: William H., born May 29, 1872: AHce 

ject's brother; Charles ().; Mary (Cohvell); J., June 8, 1874; Annie, now deceased, born 

Maud (Davis); and our subject, Dr. Edwin S., Marcli 29, 1876: Benjamin E., Eeb. 19, 1878; 

whose portrait we take the greatest pleasure in Sadie J., Sept. 11, 1879; Catherine M., Aug. 21, 

presenting on a previous page. ■ 1881; and Harry J., April 2}^, 1887. In matters 

of religious interest, Mr. Ruby adheres to the 
faith of the German Reformed Presbyterian 
Church, while his wife and children have identi- 
fied themselves with the AI. E. Church. He is a 
JOHN N. RUP.Y is a prominent blacksmith member of Portersville Lodge, No. 909, I. O. O. 
of East Brook, Hickory township. Pa. He was F., of Portersville, Pa. William H., the eldest 
born in Middle Lancaster, P.utler County, Nov. son, who learned his father's trade and is asso- 
30. 1843. H^*-" attended the district .school, and ciated with him in business, is a member of the 
after completing the course of study found em- East Brook Cornet Band, a flourishing organi- 
ployment on a farm until 1864, when he obeyed zation of si.x years growth, and one which is 
the call of his bleeding country, and enlisted in coming into public favor very rapidly. I-"ather 
Battery E, 2nd Pa. Art., attached to the 112th and son are Democrats. Mr. Ruby served as 
Reg. Pa. ^'ol. Inf., coinnmanded by Col. Straw- constable in Middle Lancaster, and as deputy 
bridge. Mr. Ruby was severelv wounded on sheriff under Sheriff Kelley of Butler Co.; Will- 
tbe battle-field of Seven Pines. May 31, iam H. Ruby is at present an inspector of elec- 
1864, but did not leave his company, and bravely tions. Mr. Ruby has in his years of mechanical 
remained in the service of "Old Clory," until he labor repaired and set up countless pieces of ma- 
was discharged uuiler the general order at the chinery, and by only turning out articles of the 
cessation of hostilities. best workmanship has risen in his trade, and 
On his return from the field of carnage, he established a solid reputation in his line of busi- 
began work in the trade of blacksmithing under ness. 

the instruction of John Eppinger of Middle Lan- Henry Ruby, father of John N.. received his 
caster, and the artilleryman became the artisan, education in the schools of Middle Lancaster, 
and forthree years after he had learned his trade, and on leaving school took up farming for a live- 
lived at New Castle. Returning to Middle Lan- liliood, and never changed his occupation. In 
caster, his early home, he remained there until political belief, he was a Whig, but later devoted 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



567 



himself to the Democratic party. He selected HENRY \V. HAZEX. teller of the First Na- 
his helpmeet in the person of Ruth A. Campbell, tional Bank of Xew Castle, was born in the city 
daughter of Henry Campbell. Interesting events of his present residence July 7, 1868, and is a 
in the family history are the births of these chil- son of Henry Hazen and grandson of Henry 
dren: Robert, deceased; Joim X., whose name Hazen, Sr. The Hazen line has been long es- 
is the heading of this sketch; George W., who tablished in America, and our sul)ject can fully 
married Catherine Kerr of East Brook — two trace his ancestry through a long line to Ed- 
children came to bless their union, Xettie and ward Hazen, who came from England and set- 
Sarah; Mary, who became the wife of Christian tied in Rowley, Mass., in 1649-. He buried his 
Lehman of Middle Lancaster, and has a son, first wife, Elizabeth, Sept. 18, 1649. March 2, 
John; Leali. who married William Lutz, and 1650, he married his second wife, Hannah Grant, 
bore the following children, Annie, Louisa, Ag- daughter of Thomas Grant; Ed^vard Hazen was 
nes, Leah, George, William, and an infant; and buried in Rowley July, 22, 1683. His fourth 
Martha, deceased. The Ruby family belonged child and second son, Thomas, was born in Row- 
to the Lutheran Church. Henry Ruby died in ley Feb. 28, 1657, and died in Xorwich, Conn., 
1861, aged sixty-one years, and Mrs. Ruby April 12, 1735. Soon after his father's death he 
remained with her children until 1894, moved to Boxford, and thence to Xorwich, 
when she enteretl into rest at the age of where his remaining years were spent: he lived 
seveiiitv-nine. at West Farms, which is now known as Frank- 
John Ruby, the grandfather, was of English lin. In 1682 he married Mary Howlett, daugh- 
parentage, and after his emigration to Amer- ter of Thomas Howlett. The next in the line of 
ica, he settled in Maryland, in the vicinity of descent, John Hazen, was born in 1683, and 
Hagerstown, and finding the soil fruitful began married Mercy Bradstreet, daughter of John and 
its culture, continuing after his removal to But- Sarah (Perkins) Bradstreet, and granddaughter 
ler Co., Pa. He made a comfortable living, and of Governor Simon Bradstreet; she died July 25, 
was esteemed a prosperous man in his day. His 1725- John Hazen, Jr., the son of the foregoing, 
views, politically, w^ere in sympathy with those was born Feb. 21, 171 1, married March i, 1734, 
of the Whigs. In the War of 1812, he served Deborah Peck of Lyme, Conn.; they reared ten 
with distinction, although in the ranks as a pri- children, five boys and five girls. Xathaniel, the 
vatc. His wife was Maggie Bumgardner, who second son, was born March 17, 1745, in Nor- 
was brought from Germany by her parents in wich, Comi., and died Xov. 3, 1835, in Beaver 
her infancy. Their cliildren were: William; Co., Pa.; Xov. 27, 1767, he married Mary Pell 
Henry, the father of John X.; James; John; Job; in Lyme, Conn.; she was born Oct. 24, 1748, and 
Mary; Elizabeth; Charity; Catherine; and De- died in 1834. He came to Wyoming Valley, Pa. 
borah. Thev were adherents of the Lutheran He was in the Continental Anny. and at the time 
faitii. Mrs. Ruby died in 1S43, her husband sur- of the massacres in Western Pennsylvania the 
viving until 1873. family with many of the other settlers went for 



568 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 

safety to the colony of New Jersey. At the close the completion of the course he secured an ap- 
of the war they came to Fort Pitt, afterwards pointment as accountant in the War Depart- 
Pittsburg, and later on went to Washington ment, and was stationed at Louisville, Ky. He 
County. There in 1790, at the time of the remained there until 1866, being the last man 
Whiskey Insurrection, Nathaniel Hazen, at- discharged from the department at that place, 
ter looking over tlie land carefully, pur- He then went into the drug business in New 
chased a tract in North Sewickley. Beaver Coun- Castle for himself, and later associated himself 
ty, to which he brought his familv, and settled in the same lousiness with Air. Hale, and then 
down for good, taking title in 1792 from the with Mr. Wilder: the last few years he ran the 
State of Pennsylvania. His death took place business alone, selling out in 1873, and going to 
there in 1835. ^>^athan Plazen, his son, who is St. Louis, Mo., as chief freight clerk for the At- 
the great-grandfather of our subject, was bom lantic & Pacific R. R.; he was soon promoted 
in 1786, and died in Slipperv Rock township, this to the traveling auditorship of the same road, 
county, Feb. 23, 1866: he married Lavina Ken- and held that ])osition at the time of his death, 
dall, who died Aug. 26, 1846. Nathan was a He lost his life in 1877 wliile saving the life of 
stanch Whig. Our subject's grandfather was his friend, Chester L. \\'hite, in the terrible fire 
born March 4, 1800. in Slippery Rock township, of the Southern Hotel of St. Louis. His wife, 
Lawrence County, and departed this life Dec. Lydia, daughter of S. Wilder of New Castle, died 
28. 1841 ; he married on March 21, 1833. Sarah in 1871, aged twenty-six years, leaving two sons: 
Warnock, who was born May 30, 1815, and Henry W., and Wilber H., who lives in Bart- 
passed away April 25, 1885. Thev reared five lett, Kansas. 

boys. Mr. Hazen was a farmer by occupation. Henry W. Hazen received his education in 
Our subject's father was born in Shenango the schools of New Castle, Pa., and Taunton, 
township, where he received a district school Mass. At the age of sixteen years he went to 
education. He had begun the study of phar- Gardner. Mass., where he served his apprentice- 
macy when the war broke out, but gave it up, ship at chair-making, and revealed such remark- 
and attempted to enlist in a Pennsylvania regi- able aptitude that in two years he was in charge 
ment, but was refused because of his youth, of one department. He then went to Middle- 
Somewhat disheartened by this rebuff he re- boro. Mass., and worked in a shoe factory two 
turned home, but did not give up the idea of years, after which he returned to New Castle, 
joining the Union forces, for soon after he ran and later took on a course in the Iron City 
away and crossed over to Ohio, where he en- Business College. In 1890 he entered the First 
listed in the 2nd Reg. Ohio \'ol. Cav. fi.ir a term National Bank of New Castle as collecting clerk, 
of three years. After eighteen months of service and has now arisen to the position of teller, 
he was discharged l>ecause of disability. He In 1892 he married Hettie W. Briggs, daugh- 
came home and pursued a course in the Iron ter of Stillman Briggs of New Castle, and they 
City Business College of Pittsburg, and upon have two children : Helen C, and Louis H. Mr. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 569 

Hazen and his family favor the Episcopal children, who are as follows: Hugh B.; John; 
Church. He is a member of Penn Council, No. Archibald; Samuel; Andrew; Agnes (Daniels); 
420, of the Royal Arcanum, and is the secretary and Margaret (N'andergrift). 
of the same. He is a member of the S. of \'., O. Hugh B. Patton secured his education in the 

L. Jackson Camp, No. 249, and has filled many schools of Hickory township, and then turned 
of the chairs, and is very enthusiastic in work- his attention ti> farming, which vocation he fol- 
ing for the best interests of the organization, lowed all of his life in Hickory township, be- 
Mr. Hazen is also a member of and secretary of ing considered, like his father, a very prosperous 
Rigel Court, No. 9, Tribe of Ben Hur. In poli- and able man. He was a stanch Republican in 
tics he has alwavs been an active Republican. his politics, and efficiently filled the offices of 

supervisor and school director. He married 
Elizabeth, daughter of David Young of Union 
township, and to our subject's parents were given 
eight children: Amanda J., deceased; David, de- 



'ft' 



JAMES Y. PATTON, a prosperous and ceased; William, who married Mary Reynolds 
highly-respected farmer and poultry breeder of of Hickory township, and has four children — 
Hickorv township, was born Nov. 3, i860, on the Anna G., Velma A., Loy, and Alta H.; Riley 
farm which is now his residence and home. He M., deceased; James Y., the subject of this no- 
is a son of Hugii P.. and Elibabeth (Young) Pat- tice; Samuel B.; Anna J., deceased; and Jennie 
ton. and grandson of William Patton, who was E., deceased. They were members of the United 
born in the State of Pennsylvania, and was one Presbyterian Church. Our subject's father de- 
of the pioneer settlers of the fann that is now parted this life June, 1886, aged sixty-six years, 
the property of bis grandson, the subject of this Our subject's mother fell into that last sleep 
brief biography. The country was then wild and which knows no waking May 7, 1873, when aged 
uncultivated hereabouts and he cleared and put forty-four years, after twenty-three years of hap- 
into tillable condition about 100 acres of land, py wedded life. Our subject has spent his whole 
and was highly thought of for his energetic qual- life in Hickory township on the old homestead, 
ities. He was a very prominent man in both where his boyhood years were spent, wiien he 
political and religious circles of that day and was engaged in acquiring those rudiments of an 
place; he was a Whig in his political attach- education that lie within the reach of every 
ments, and Jield the office of supervisor; his re- American youth. When he arrived at a suitable 
ligious views were those advanced and advo- age he took up farming, and up to 1895 was en- 
cated by the I'nited Presbyterian Church, in gaged very successfully at his chosen vocation, 
w-hich organization he held at various times im- In 1895 he launched out into the wholesale 
portant offices. His death took place in the 6o's. raising of poultn,-, and lie has met with marked 
His wife, lennie Braham, a native of Neshan- results; he raises for sale some six or seven hun- 
nock townslii]) (now Hickory), bore him seven dred chicks of the Wyandotte breed, and these 



570 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

find a ready sale in the New Castle markets. Be- proved to be a veritable mint to Mr. Clark, who 
sides this he makes a specialty of filling orders rapidly accumulated a fortune. He invested free- 
for eggs of various kinds of blooded breeds, and ly, with no thought but of a successful future and 
is at all times ready to fill mail orders for any eventually became one of the largest owners of 
distance. He keejis the very best poultry, and oil-wells in the vicinity where he was located, 
has all the m(5clern improvements for raising a For twenty-two years, until i8()0, he was en- 
hardy line of chicks. In politics he stanchly sup- gaged in the oil business, and finally relinquished 
ports to the best of ability the Republican party, his interests for large considerations, and came 
In December, 1883, he was joined in wedlock to what he has made the foremost stock farm in 
with Alyra E. Young, daughter of Joseph Young Lawrence Countv. This propcrtv he purchased 
of East Brook, and to them have been given in 1882, and it comprises 160 acres of valuable 
four children: Jessie, born Feb. 28, 1885; Nor- land, rich and fertile, adapted in every respect to 
man Y., Jan. 11, 1892; Clie E., now deceased, general farming and to stockraising; since 1890 
born Jan. 15, 1895; and Charley B., Sept. 15, he has devoted most of his time and attention 
1896. Both Mr. and Mrs. Patton are members to the raising of fine, blooded horses for the mar- 
in the best of standing in the L'nited Presby- kets; among the many very valuable animals 
terian Church of Neshannock. which he has brought out and developed are the 

following with records: St. \'incent, 2:13^ ; Min- 

netonka, five years old, 2:2ij4: Goshen Maid, 

eight years, 2:24: Tornado Charm, four years, 

2:24^-; and Perry \'incent, four years, 2:22f ; all 

CHARLES S. CLARK, proprietor of the Lo- of these are from the Wilkes family. Mr. Clark 

cust Grove Stock Farm of Hickory township, is one of the directors of the First National 

and a leading capitalist of the same township, Bank, and has been a director in an Oil Trust. 

was born March 17, 1844, and remained under He is a Republican in politics, but has never 

the parental roof until he had acquired a sufii- been very actively interested. 

cient education in the district schools of his na- In 1876, he was married to Louise Kennedy 

tive township to enal)le him to cope more Intel- of Millerstown, Butler Co., Pa., and they have 

ligently than would otherwise have been the case been blessed with one child, Richard. Mr. Clark 

with the many problems of life. When a young is regarded as one of the most substantial busi- 

man he went to the oil districts of Pennsylvania, ness men of Lawrence County, and has the sat- 

which were then coming into prominence and at- isfaction of knowing that what he has accumulat- 

tracting many speculators, and engaged as a ed has been by his own untiring industry and 

conmion laborer; after a while he was enabled to far-sighted judgment. He is a notable example 

purchase with his accumulated savings what of that type of man so popular to Americans, 

proved to be a very valuable oil claim, large the self-made man. 

in extent and wonderfully rich in promise, which His grandfather, George Clark, was born in 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 571 

Eastern Pennsylvania, and settled in Mercer ALEXANDER McCOXACiin'. a substan- 
County about 1800, in what is now known as tial and successful farmer of Hickorv township, 
Washington township, Lawrence Count)-; lie Lawrence Co., Pa., was born in County Derry, 
was a farmer by occupation and followed kin- Ireland, Sept. 17, 1812, in the Parish of F)al- 
dred pursuits all of his life, and was considered taugh, and received his education in the parish 
a fairly prosperous man, who was able to live in schools of his native place: after obtaining a 
comfort and to enjoy many of the good things common school education, he learned the shoe- 
of life. He was a Democrat in his views on pol- mviker"s trade, which he followed until 1832. when 
itical subjects, but never aspired to hold political at twenty years of age he came to America, land- 
office. He married a Miss Jordan, who was born ing in New York City, June 6, 1832, having set 
in Washington township, and to him and his sail in .April of the previous spring. He remained 
wife were born a large family of children, of in Xew York City ten years working at shoe- 
whom the father of our subject, John Clark, was making, and then in 1842 moved to Pittsburg, 
the third in seniority. They were Presbyterians Pa., and made that city his home until 1844, 
in their religious faith. Our subject's grand- when he came to his present jilace of residence 
father died in 1877, aged seventy-five years, and in Hickory township, which was then a part of 
was followed ten years later by his wife at the Mercer County. At the first, to provide himself 
age of eighty-two years. a home, he bought twenty acres of unimproved 
John Clark was born in Washington town- land at $10 per acre, to which he added from time 
shi]), and attended the schools there until he to time as his finances allowed him, initil he is 
reached manhood's estate, when he became a now the owner of 100 acres of the best land to be 
farmer, and very successfully followed the pur- found in the county; much of the land was pur- 
suits of agriculture all the years of his active peri- chased in its virgin state, and Mr. McConaghy 
od, his death taking place in 1877, when he was has been put to much pains and no little labor 
aged fifty-five years. He married Lucinda Palm- to evolve the present well-ordered farm, which 
er, a daughter of John Palmer, and to them shows in every ])articular the taste, good judg- 
were given four children; James W., who mar- ment and the enterprise of its owner. He is pro- 
ried a Miss Rodgers of Plain Grove township, gressive in his ideas, is always well-acquainted 
and has six children — Lewis, Cassius, Nettie, with the most recent and best methods that have 
Mary, and Clara: Charles S., of whom this biog- been introduced into the realm of agriculture 
raphy is written; Sylvester, who married a Miss and he is never slow in the adoption of a really 
Ma.xwell of Erie Co., Pa.; Melissa, who married serviceable article or method. Our subject has 
W. H. Caswell of Xew Castle, Pa., and has two been a valued member of society, and he is held 
children, Anna and Charles. They were Metho- in the highest esteem by his contemporaries, 
dists in their religious views and affiliations. William McConaghy, our subject's grand- 
Our subject's mother, at the age of seventy-sev- father, was a farmer and followed that occupa- 
en years, still survives her husband. tion throughout a long and useful career till the 



572 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

failiiiiii^ health, which is incident to old age, forceil William, who married Martha Young-, who has 

him to retire from active service in the field. He borne him children as follows — Fraiik, Mabel, 

married Marv Moore, and to them were Ixirn Ethel and Oscar; Mary; James; and Lizzie. The 

three children: John, the father of Alexander; family are members of die l'nite<l IVesbyterian 

Alexander, who married Elizabeth Smith, and Church of Hickory township. In matters polit- 

died in Ireland; and ]\Iary, who married Hugh ical, Mr. McConaghy is liberal and independent 

Kearney, and also died in Ireland. They were in his actions, voting for whatever candidates 

Unitarians and Covenanters in their religious at- seem best suited to fill satisfactorily the offices 

tachments. for which they are nominated. 

John McConaghy, in addition to farming, to 

which the most of his years was given, was also — ^^-.-» 

an adept in the preparation of the flax for the 

manufacture of Irish linens, and found profitable SAML'EL McCREARY, whom we feel it our 

employment in the manufactories of linens for duty to place among the most successful and 

many years. He married a daughter of \\'illiam representative agriculturists of Hickory town- 

Stunkard, and their union w-as blessed with the ship, was born in tlie above township, which was 

birth of five children: Conley: Alexander, the then a ])art of Neshannock, in the month of 

subject of this memoir: William; John; and June, 1833. 

Sarah (Paterson). All of the children came to Our subject's grandfather, als(T named Sanuiel 

America, and made homes for themselves. (Jur McCreary, came to this country from his native 

subject's father died in 1820, owing to an acci- place in Lancaster Co.. Pa., with his wife in 1802, 

dent in a flax-mill, aged thirty-nine years. The and settled in that part of Mercer County which 

family were regular and devout attendants of is now a part of Lawrence County, He followed 

the Unitarian Church. farming, and also raised cattle for market and 

In 1839, the marriage ceremony was performed indulged in other allied occupations until his 
which united Alexander McConaghy and Jane failing powers demanded that he seek rest from 
Murphy, also a native of County Derry, Ireland. his arduous work; his death took place in 1858, 
Mrs. McConaghy w-as bom Jan. 23, 1817. Their when he was aged eighty years. He worked 
union has happily resulted in the following chil- hard and late with an industry that is seldom 
dren: John, wlio married Margaret Carr, and seen or even equalled, and he would be consid- 
lives in Hickory township, surrounded by the ered well-to-do to-day, for he owned upwards 
fi)lli>\\ing chililren — Alexander, Nannie, Jennie, of six lumdred acres of valuable land. He was a 
Lewis, William, Florence, Roy, Norman, and Whig in politics, and he and his wife were mem- 
Nellie; Conley, who married Josephine ^'oung bers of the Presbyterian Church. She bore him 
of East Brook, Hickory township, this county, ten children, as follows: Enoch; Betsey; 
and has the children named below — Charley, Thomas; Sarah; Findlay; William; Jane; Mar- 
Effie, Lester, Jennie, Joseph, Ernest and Alfred; garet; Nancy; and Martha. 





R35ERT Mcknight. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAU'REXCE COi'XTY 



Enoch McCreary received his ; in the 

customary manner, chiefly in the winter months, 
in Xeshannock township, and became a farmer 
at an early age: this occupation he steadfastly 
followed all the period of his life in Hickorj- 
township on the farm now owned by George 
Young. Politically, he was first a Whig and 
then a Republican. He married Margaret Pier- 
son, daughter of Samuel Pierson. and to Mr. 
and Mrs. McCrean,- were given eight children: 
Pierson; Belinda: Sanuiel; Sarah; William: 
James; John; and Enoch. They were Metho- 
dists in their views on matters of a religious na- 
ture. The father passed away in March. 1856, 
aged fifty-three years, and the mother remained 
at the head of the family until July, 1885, when 
she was also called home to join those cT'm.- he- 
fore at the age of eighty-six years. 

Samuel McCrear\-, our subject, was educated 
in the schools of Hickory township, and his en- 
tire life, which has been devoted to general farm- 
ing, has been passed in the township of his birth. 
Ever since the organization of the Citizens' Na- 
tional Bank of Xew Castle, he has been one of 
its directors. He has always voted the Republi- 
can ticket, and was elevated to the position of 
school director, where he so far distinguished 
himself as a man of excellent judgment, that he 
was rewarde<l with thirteen and a half years of 
office in that capacity. The familv are regular 
attendants of the M. E. Church. 

In 1857, Mr. McCreary married Elizabeth Mc- 
Dowell, daughter of Abel McDowell of Hickor>- 
township, and the union was blessed with six 
children: Emma T-, who married Dr. W. L. 
Smith of Xew Wilmington. Pa., and has three 
children, Genevieve, Sam, and Gula; Marv .\.. 



who married J. E. Duff, a druggist of Xew Cas- 
tle, and has one child. Dorothy; Margaret, who 
married Thomas W. Houston of Hickory- town- 
ship, and has borne him two children, \'ictor A. 
and Edwin; Edwin, who married Marj- Riber 
of Hickon,- township, by whom he had two chil- 
dren. Xorman and Kenneth King: and two that 
died in infancv. 



ROBERT McKXIGHT. a prosperous agri- 
culturist of Hickon.' township, was bom in the 
above township April 17, 1832. His father, John 
McKnight. came to this country from County 
Derry, Ireland, in 181 1. and worked at first in 
Xew York City: later he settled on a farm, in 
1825. where his son ncnv resides, taking the 
land in its virgin state, and by many improve- 
ments bringing it into an excellent state of culti- 
vation, thus acquiring an e.xcellent reputation as 
an enterprising and successful farmer of his day. 
He was well-read and well-informed and profited 
by his large experience in life to advance his own 
private interests and to contribute intelligently 
to the growth and prosperity of Lawrence 
County. He was a Democrat in his political 
tendencies. He married Man.- E. Smith, daugh- 
ter of John Smith of old \'irginia stock: she was 
bom in Beaver Co.. Pennsylvania. Ten children 
blessed their union, namely: Mary: Elizabeth, 
who married William Chaffer of East Brook, 
who had five children — Hannah. Mar}-. Jennie. 
Martha, and John : David S.. who married Eliza- 
beth J. Brown of Harlansburg. Pa., and their 
children were — William J.. Joseph. David S.. 
Man-. Sarah. Thomas T., and Lizzie: John, de- 



57(i BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

ceased; Hugh, who married Margaret Robin- Hickory township. Eleven children have blessed 

son, who bore him — Alice M., John, William R., their household: James M.; ]\Iary; Emily E. ; 

Joseph, Jesse D.; James P., deceased; Joseph Drusilla: Lizzie, who married J. W. Hamilton 

and Rol)ert, twins, the latter is the subject of tliis of Plain Grove township, and has three children 

sketch, the former married Sarah McConaghy — Grace. George, and Jay; John; Flora; Martha; 

of East Brook and has two children — Jane H. Robert; Charlev. deceased; and Belle. Mr. Mc- 

and Eva L. ; Hannah; and William S., deceased. Knight is an uiiright citizen, highly esteemed 

They were esteemed memliers and active work- in the community, and exerts his wide influence 

ers of the L'nited Presbyterian Churcli. in the promotion of its best interests. In connec- 

Robert McKnight was educated in the district tion with the foregoing outline of ^Ir. Mc- 

schools of Xeshannock township (now called Knight's life, we pre^sent his portrait on a jire- 

Hickory), and v^dieii his days as a pupil were ceding page, 
over, he himself wielded the birch and imparted 

instruction in the good, old-fashioned way for 

a number of terms in the schools in the vicinity 
of his home. He then learned carpentering as a 

trade, wdiich he followed imtil 1861. since wdiich WILLL\M BARNES, a leading farmer and 

time he has given his whole attention to agricul- prominent citizen, occupying a fine homestead 

tural pursuits, the homestead which was his in Hickory township, Lawrence County, has 

father's yielding him a handsome profit each been a resident of the county for the greater part 

year for his labors. He is a puljlic-spirited citi- of the period from 1861 to the present date. He 

zen, and has always kept alive an intelligent in- comes of goc)d old Irish stock, and was born in 

terest in whatever pertained to the good of the County Down, Ireland, ]March 6, 1830. Thomas 

educational interests of the township or county. Barnes, his father, followed farming as an occu- 

He is outspoken in his endorsement of the aims pation throughout his younger years and until 

and principles as advocated in the platform of he was well advanced in years, when he turned 

the Democratic party, and consistently votes for his attention to mercantile pursuits, and there- 

that party's nominees. He has otificiated as after to the end of his days was identified with 

school director, and has also held several other legitimate trade. His standard of life was high 

ofifices. In regard to his religious preferences and and exalted in character, and nobly did he obey 

likewise those of his family, it may be said that the command of his Heavenly Father to be an 

they are consistent members of the LTnited Pres- example to all men ; his honestness and upright- 

byterian Church. ness of purpose which distinguished his dealings 

In 1857 occiu'red the marriage ceremony detracted in no way from his popularity, for 

wdiich united Mr. ]\IcKnight and Xancy J. there were few men who were so popular and 

Campbell for life; she was a daughter of Robert well-liked in his neighborhood; to the poor and 

and Dnisilla Campbell, who were residents of needy and to all who were in distress and 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



■)< I 



trouble, he was an ever-present friend, comfort- 
ing the broken-hearted, and solacing those who 
refused to be comforted, and never witholding 
of his abundance to relieve a case of want and 
distress. His death was mourned by everyone 
who had had a chance to know him and to ap- 
preciate his gentlemanly cjualities; it was caused 
by his readiness to act as peace-maker between 
two parties to a feud, the knife that was intended 
by one combatant to put his opponent hors du 
combat penetrated a vital spot in Mr. Barnes, 
and he died instantly. When a m^n lays down 
his life for a friend, the world justly calls it one 
of the most generous of acts; but on the other 
hand how much greater is the magnanimity that 
prompts one to risk his life in an affair not his 
own in an endeavor to prevent quarreling and 
probable bloodshed. His wife was Jane Boyd, 
daughter of James Boyd of County Down, Ire- 
land, and to them were born six children : James, 
who married Annie Annesley of County Downs, 
and died in Ireland; William, our subject; Annie; 
Margaret, who married Henry Wolfe of Pitts- 
burg, Pa., and has six children: Thomas. Jane, 
Charles, William, Sherman, and Madison: and 
Isabelle, deceased. They were connected with 
the Unitarian Church. Our subject's father 
came to his death in the manner already stated 
in 1839, at the age of forty-one years; his wife 
survived him initil 1X47, when she went to join 
the invisible throng t)f S]>irits that inhabit the 
border-land, being aged at her decease forty- 
eight years. 

William Barnes came to America in 1848. and 
settled in the vicinity of Pittsburg, Pa., where he 
worked in the construction and repair of tele- 
grapli lines, an industry then in its earliest in- 



fancy. He remained in that connection until 
]86i, when he came to Hickory township, and 
settled on the farm he now owns and occupies, 
which he purchased from William Alexander, 
who was a pioneer settler of the country. Since 
that time. Mr. l^arnes has successfully engaged 
in agricultural pursuits, which have proved very 
profitable to him; from 1883 to 1893 he was a 
resident of Brownwood, Brown Co., Texas, 
where he was engaged in farming. He is a man 
who stands well in his comnnmity, has been 
school director two terms, but, while willing to 
aid by every means in his power in furthering 
what are considered the best interests of the 
township, he has steadily refused to become an 
office-seeker. In politics, he inclines toward Re- 
publican princiijles, and has supported that party 
ever since the candidacy of Gen. Jolin C. Fre- 
mont, the "Pathfinder of tlie Rockies," for whom 
he cast his first vote as an American citizen. He 
is a man of great force of character, has decided 
views and opinions, and is not afraid to maintain 
what he believes to be right in all places and un- 
der all circumstances. 

He was joined in matrimony, in 1857, with 
Martha (Stuart) Macklin. daughter of John Stu- 
art of County Antrim, Ireland, and widow of 
Thomas Macklin, by whom she had two chil- 
dren: Margaret J., who married Robert Patten 
of Mahoning townslii]), this county and has five 
children, John, Wiliam, Robert, James, and Stu- 
art; and Thomas J., w^ho died in infancy. Mr. 
Barnes and his estimable wife are the parents of 
seven children, five of whom survive, namely: 
Anna, who married Thomas Matthew of County 
Antrim, Ireland, and now lives in Union town- 
ship with a family of four children — Lillie, -Sadie, 



578 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



Alartlia, and William; ^lar\-, who married Pres- 
ley Bell, a native of the State of Georgia, and 
now a resident of Mahoning township — ^thev 
have four children, Martha, William, Walter, and 
Mabel : Martha, who married Hosea Porter, a 
native of Texas, and had one child. Hosea, now 
deceased; William T., a minister of the Disciples 
faith in Wellington, Ohio; Isabel, deceased; 
John, deceased; and Jane, deceased. Religious- 
ly, the family are members in excellent standing 
in the Disciples Church. 



GEORGE W. HARTMAN, treasurer of the 
Neshannock Sheet & Tin Plate Co., and also of 
the Norway Iron & Steel Co. of New Castle, Pa., 
was born in Pittsburg'h April 20, 1839, and is a 
son of Henry Hartman and a grandson of Tacob 
Hartman. His grandfather, Jacob Hartman, 
came to the United States in 1802, and settled 
in Pittsburgh, where lie and his wife Anna Maria 
(Martin) died at about the age of seventy-five 
years. 

Henry Hartman was born in I'rance Decem- 
ber 14, 1799, in the village of Ouigney, which is 
most delightfully situated on the River Doubs, 
twelve miles from Besancon. At about the age 
of three he came to this country with his pa- 
rents, and u])on becoming of age embarked in 
the foundry business in Pittsluirgh. He 
was associated with Mr. Stackhouse un- 
der the firm name of Stackhouse & Hartman, 
and was engaged in that business at the time of 
his decease. Their works turned out the machin- 
ery for one of the large mills in New Castle. His 
death took place in 1850. He married Magda- 



lene Eriesel in 1825. She was the daughter of 
Matthias and Ann Maria Friesal of Dauphin 
Co., Pa., who came to Pittsburgh in 1809. She 
died in Pittsburgh in 1885 at the ripe old age of 
85 years. Their children were named as follows: 
Jacob, deceased; Henry, now in Philadelphia; 
John, a resident of Allegheny; Samuel, also a 
resident of that city; George W., our subject; 
Margaret; Mary M.; and Sarah E. 

Our subject was educated in the public schools 
of Pittsburgh and in Dufif's Commercial College 
of that city. In September, 1861, he enlisted in 
Co. B, 77th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., which 
was attached to the Army of the Cum- 
berland; 'he was mustered out in No- 
vember, 1864. After returning home he 
engaged with Reis, Brown & Berger as 
bookkeeper of the Shenango Iron Works of 
New Castle, and remained with that company 
for thirteen years. In 1883 'i"? entered the em- 
ploy of Geo. W. Johnson of the Arethusa Iron 
W^orks, which concern has now been succeeded 
by the Neshannock Sheet & Tin Plate Co. He is 
a stockholder in and treasurer of this company, 
and of the Norway Iron & Steel Co. For thirty- 
three years he has been connected with the iron 
business. 

Mr. Hartman was married in 1870 to Asenath 
McConnell, daughter of Capt. Thomas McCon- 
nell of Lawrence County, and they have had 
fiiur children, wdiose names in order of birth are: 
Malcolm M.; Magdalene J.; Arethusa; and 
Thomas H. Malcolm died August 21, 1896, aged 
25. Mr. Hartman is a Republican in politics. He 
is an elder in the I'irst United Presbyterian 
Church of New- Castle, and his family are all 
members of that congregation. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 579 

REV. JOSEPH FRANCIS GALLAGHER, Our subject was one of the number. By the 

pastor of St. Mary's CathoUc Church, New Cas- advice of his physician he returned to his home 

tie, Pa., was born Jan. 3, 1844, in the North of in Philadelphia for rest and njedical treatment. 

Ireland. In the early part of 1849, he came to After a brief interval, his health having improved, 

America with his parents, who selected the city the presitknt of .St. Joseph's Cojlegc offered him 

of Philadelphia, Pa., as the place of their future a position as teaclicr of the Classics, which he 

home in the New World. The subject of this accepted and filled with success to the entire sat- 

sketch pursued his early education at St. Jos- isfaction of the faculty of that institution for two 

eph"s College, then a renowned institution of years. He then resumed his theological studies 

learning in that city. Aspiring to the priesthood, at .St. Michael's Seminary in Pittsburgh and was 

his parents, in 1861, sent him to St. John's L'ni- ordained priest by Ri. Rev. M. Domenec, D.D., 

versity, Frederick City, Md., to begin his ecclesi- Bishop of Pittsburg diocese, Jan. 11. 1873. ^'* 

astical studies, under the guidance of the Jesuit first mission was to Altoona as assistant to the 

Fatliers. \'ery Rev. John Tuigg, then the beloved pastor 

In 1864 the late Civil War assumed gigantic of St. John's congregation, afterwards Bishop 

proportions. Frederick City and vicinity became of the Pittsburgh diocese. His ne.xt appoint- 

the scene of active strife between the two armies, ment was to the pastorate of the Church of the 

Three different times did the Confederate flag Immaculate Conception. Dudley, Huntingdon 

float over the city and three times was the city Co., Pa. Here he labored with success for over 

reclaimed by the Union troops. In one of these two years. 

engagements at Frederick Junction, over seven On the 6th day of I-'ebruary, 1879, he was ap- 

hundred wounded were left on the battle-field, pointed pastor of St. Mary's Congregation, New 

uncared for and without nurses, as all communi- Castle. Pa., a position he has acceptably filled 

cation had been cut off with Baltimore and up to the present time. 
Washington. In this emergency, Mr. Gallagher 

and the other advanced students volunteered HISTORY OF ST. M.\RVS CONGRKG.ATION. 
eheir services to care for the sick and wounded. As early as 1831. Catholic priests from Pitts- 
until aid should come from the East or North, burgh 1)egan visiting New Castle, to administer 
For weeks, day and night, these young men to the spiritual wants <if the few scattered Catho- 
labored with heroic zeal, administering to the lie families residing in this vicinity. .\ Mr. 
wants of the wounded, nor would they accept of Doran appears to have been the pioneer member 
any remuneration for their services. In their of that faith in the county. He died and was 
efforts to alleviate the suflferings of others, they buried near New Bedford in tlie year 1810. 
overlooked their powers of endurance, impaired Nicholas Brian, who came to America with Gen. 
their health and many a one contracted a linger- Lafayette, a Catholic, and fought under his com- 
ing illness which necessitated an interruption of niand during the Revolutionary War, selected 
their studies. the neighborhood of i\It. Jackson as his home, 



580 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

after the cessation of hostilities, and was wont, doubtless St. Mary's Congregation would have 

later, to attend mass at the house of James liquidated all these claims, but the panic of 1873 

Alooney, who lived about a mile north of Mt. bore heavilv on New Castle; the iron works 

Jackson, \\henever a Catholic priest favored closed down; and Father Hayes saw his parish 

them with a visit. The construction of the Bea- decimated by the departure of his people seek- 

ver Canal brought a few Catholic families to New ing employment elsewhere, leaving him and the 

Castle and thus formed the nucleus of the pres- few who remained on the verge of bankruptcy, 

ent congregation. The following are the names When Father Gallagher assumed charge, he 

of the Catholic priests wdio administered to the found the financial condition of the congregation 

spiritual wants of the Catholics of New Castle in a most deplorable state. The cemetery prop- 

and vicinity: erty had been disposed of by the sheriff. The 

Rev. Father Rafferty in 1831 ; Father (iarland household goods of the pastoral residence had 
in 1836; Father Gibbs in 1840; b'ather AIcCul- been offered at public sale. The church proper- 
lough, 1843: Father Reid, 1845; Father Garvey, ty was mortgaged almost to its full value. Some 
1854; Father ()'Farrell, 1856: Father Farran, of the improvements were paid for by loans, 
i860; Father Walsh, 1862; Father Canevin, bearing a high rate of interest. Undismayed by 
1863; Father Hayes. 1871; Father Gallagher, these surroundings tihe new pastor began the 
1879. I'l I'^S- Rev. Father Reid erected a task of rescuing the parish from its financial em- 
frame church, 20x40 feet, in what is now known harrassment. Aided h\ the generous co-opera- 
as West New Castle. Here the Catholics wor- tion of his people and the kind encouragement 
shipped until their increased membership called given him by his non-Catholic friends, after years 
for a more spacious edifice. In 1865 Father of toil, he has succeeded in placing the credit of 
Canevin secured the lot on the corner of Beaver tlie parish on a higher basis than it bad pre- 
and North Streets, from the Crawford estate for viously occupied. 

$4,000, and began the erection of a $15,000 St. Mary's congregation consisted of one thou- 

brick church, no by 45 feet. Father Canevin sand souls when Father Gallagher was appointed 

was succeeded by Father Hayes, who comple- pastor. To-day it numbers over three thousand 

ted the building. souls, and both pastor and people look forward 

About this time New Castle was enjoying a with pleasing anticipations to the time when a 

season of prosperity and Father Hayes felt justi- magnificent church edifice shall ornament the 

fied in making extensive improvements. He beautiful church lot on Beaver and North 

erected a handsome school building, which com- Streets. 

l^ares favorably with any of the public schools in Father Gallagher and a party of 430 tourists 

the city, at an expense of $8,000; purchased a visited the Holy Land in 1895, and bad a trip 

pastoral residence for $5,500; secured sixty acres extending over three months, and fraught with 

of land in Union township for $6,000 for a cenie- many pleasant and instructive experiences, (lur 

tery. Had the prosperous times continued, subject is a genial, whole-souled gentleman, who 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 581 

is sure to create a favorable impression in w'hat- died in youth; Solomon; Levi; Catherine; Ra- 

ever surroundings he is placed as a true Chris- chel; and Lvdia Ann. It is a fact well worth rc- 

tian, who thoroug-hly believes in the Brotherhood cording in this coimection that every one of 

of Man. He is a man of much more than ordin- these children, who grew to he adults, became 

ary ability and we feel that we are but conserva- very prosperous in worldly goods, and were 

tive in attributing the present condition of the men and women of iiitlueiice in their respective 

Catholic Society and its position among the communities. 

other religious bodies of Lawrence County, Solomon HofFmaster was endowed with as 
chiefly to h.is efforts. much education as the country schools of a pio- 
neer district could then afford. As a step to- 
wards an independent life he learned the carpen- 
ter's trade. Marrying Anna Koch he managed 
the home place for six years, at the end of which 
SOLOMON' HOFFMASTER, deceased, period he came into ^L-lhoning township, Law- 
whose demise was mourned in 1886, occupied a rence Co., Pa., and bought the Cook farm, now 
prominent place among the progressive and sue- owned by William Duflf. For six years that place 
cessful farmers of Mahoning township. He was continued to be his home, and then he pur- 
ushered upon the stage of life in Mahoning Co., chased and removed to the George Henley farm, 
Ohio, in the year 1827. and was a son of honest once called the Rev. \\Miitten Place, of forty- 
and thrifty German parents, George and Gather- seven acres. This estate still continues to be the 
ine (Eutler) HofTniaster. home of the Hoffmaster family, the farm work 
George Hoffmaster was born in the Father- being superintended and administered by Guy 
land, where he followed the occupation of a C, one of the younger sons. Finding the build- 
farmer until he came to this country, continuing ings somewhat run down and in sad need of re- 
in that vocation after his arrival on this side of pairs, our subject remodeled them and inaugu- 
the Atlantic, and his settlement in Lancaster Co., rated a series of improvements that resulted in 
Pa. He afterwards moved to Springfield town- making his property one of the best appearing 
ship, Mahoning Co., Ohio, purchased a tract of as well as productive farms in Lawrence County, 
no acres, and built a log-house, where he died A fine barn was built in response to the increased 
at the age of eighty-five. He was in his life-time needs of the place, and outbuildings added from 
married twice. His first wife bore him thirteen time to time. After years and years of hard work 
children: Philip; John; Joseph; Christie; God- Mr. Hofifmaster's rugged constitution failed him, 
lop; Elizabeth; Mary; Christina; Jacob; John and for seven years prior to his death paralysis 
(2); and three, who died in infancy. For his sec- held its heavy restraining hand on him. He was 
ond helpmeet he married Catherine Eutler, and fifty-nine years of age when he passed away, 
to them were given nine children: David; Jonas; His widow survives him, living on the home- 
Parker, who died in childhood; Michael, who stead with her son, Guy C. She was a daughter 



582 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

of Martin ami Susanna (Shrinerj Koch, both of was faithful in his membership to the Methodist 

whom were natives of Wittenberg, Germany. Episcopal Church. 

When Alartin Koch was seventeen years of age Guy C. Hoffmaster was l)orn on the home- 
he came to this country and found a home in stead, of which he has now tlie charge, Aug. 4, 
Unity township, Mahoning Co., Ohio. He fol- 1872. He attended the home schools, and fin- 
lowed farming in that vicinity, and died when ished his education with a practical course at 
about fifty years old, his wife reaching very the New Castle Business College. He was grad- 
nearly the same age. Their children were: Dan- uated from this institution on June i, 1893, and 
iel; Elizabeth; Martin, Jr.; Susanna; Leah; at once assumed full control of the home farm. 
Christina; Anna; Sarah; Mary; Samuel; David; He early learned the value of time and applied 
Solomon; and Rosanna, who died when a child effort, and is proving a worthy successor to his 
of five years. father. In the management of the farm he shows 
These are the children born to Solomon Hof¥- rare skill and judgment, and in all business af- 
master -and his wife: Celesta Jane, the wife of fairs is keen, accurate and upright. On account 
Freeman L. Stacy of Ohio and the mother of sev- of his pleasant social ways he has the friendship 
en children — Edward, Clark, Han-y, Raymond, and esteem of all who know him. 
George, Lucy, and Nellie; William Henry of 
Colorado, who married Ada ISrecount and has 
four children — Frank, Helen, Hulda, and Will- 
iam Brecount; Albert M., who married Lizzie 

Williams; Lucy, the wife of N. P. Patterson, and CHARLES L. I'iEYNOLDS. a tinsmith and 
the mother of three children — Ocie E., Anna M., slate-roofer of New Castle, was born in New 
and Gertruile; May; Ella, who became the wife Castle May 11, 1857, and is a son of William H. 
of Clarence M. DulT, and who has borne him and Susan H. (Squier) Reynolds, and a grand- 
two little ones — Walter W. and Lillie E. ; Harry son of Joseph Reynolds, who married a Miss 
E., a teacher, who was graduated from Inbody, who was of German origin. Oiw snb- 
the Slippery Rock State Normal School ject's great-grandfather, Josiah Reynolds, was 
in i8i,)5; Lillie; Emma; Guy C, and Anna one of three brothers who came from England 
Marie. Solomon Hoffmaster was a true and during the last century, and displayed excep- 
loyal citizen, taking a lively and abiding interest tional business abilities, all accumulating com- 
in whatever concerned the public good. He fol- fortable fortunes. Joseph Reynolds went into 
lowed the teachings of the Republican party from business on the Diamond in 1834, and was en- 
true convictions, based upon an actual studv of abled to retire late in life with the reputation of 
political conditions. At one time and another he a successful business man. 

held the positions of assessor, constable, and William H. Reynolds learned the trade of a 

school director. He willingly and cheerfully gave tin and copper smith in Mercer County when a 

of his lime and means to religious matters, and \'oung man, and labored at smithing the remain- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 583 

der of the active period of his hfe. He was a Addie; Charles L., tlie subject of this brief biog- 
Democrat to the backbone, as are his sons; he raphy; W'ilhani II., Jr.. married Ella Brown, now 
served as president of the select council for the deceased, and is the father of one child, 
city of New Castle, as school director and as Our subject received his education in his na- 
poor director. Under President Buchanan's ad- tive place, and took up the trade of a tinner, 
ministration he served as postmaster. He was a serving the required apprenticeship with his 
member of the Knights of Pythias and of Fide- father; after his parent's death he remained at 
lias Lodge, F. & A. M. lie was married in New the old stand in the same business, and has also 
Castle to Susan H. Squier, who was born in the added another branch, that of slate-roofing. He 
above-mentioned city April lo, 1823, a daugli- married Anna Gaston, daughter of Philo Cas- 
ter of Anthony and Mary (Hudson) Squier. An- ton of New Castle, and there were born to them 
thony Squier was born on the site of New Cas- five children, who are: Frank; Joseph; and Mary 
tie Jan. 18, 1796. and in the early days of the I-3tta; Jean and an infant both died in infancy, 
settlement kept a tavern in a log building on 

JefTerson Street, which building was one of the — »^*» 

best and most substantial of any of the struc- 
tures of New Castle at that time. He died Feb. WILLIAM U. McCLUSKY, an enterprising 
27, 1837. He was a son of James and Lydia young citizen of Pulaski, is the station-agent on 
(Reynolds) Squier. James Squier was a soldier the Erie Railroad, in charge of the office at the 
of the Revolution, enlisting at the age of eight- village named above. His people have lived in 
een May 28, 1778, at Monmouth, X. J.; he re- Lawrence County for a good many years, and 
ceived a pension from the government in his old he was born in Pulaski township on Dec. 25, 
age. He was born in England Jan. 7, 1760, and 1871. He is a son of John and Mary J. (Da- 
died in 1848 in New Castle. Mary Hudson, our vidson) ^IcClusky, the former of Pulaski tow^n- 
subject's grandmother on his mother's side, was ship, and tlie latter a native of Cimiberland Co., 
a daughter of Capt. William and Susanna (Gray) Pennsylvania. 

Hudson. Capt. W'illiam Hudson's first wife was Mr. McClusky had his educational training in 
Agnew Rutherford. He was a son of John Hud- the schools of his native place, and in 1889 was 
son, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland, drawn toward the study of telegraphy, which 
in 1698, and came to America in 1730, settling he finally mastered by diligent work in the same 
in Chester Co., T'a., later moving to Dauphin office which he now occupies as agent, his pro- 
County of the same State. He took part in the motion coming in the succeeding year. He is an 
French and Indian War. To our subject's pa- industrious, capable young man, a!id has en- 
rents were born five children, as follows: Mary, larged his legitimate duties to include those that 
who married T. J. Garvin, who is engaged in arise from being the agent for Wells, Fargo Ex- 
the livery business on Apple Alley, New Castle; press Co. As a young man in the employ of a 
they have seven children; Grace died in infancy; great railway system he will no doubt seize every 



584 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

chance of advancement, at the same time violat- our subject, lived in Pulaski township, where 
ing no confidence reposed in him as the occu- he tilled the fertile soil for his- daily bread. He 
pant of a position of trust. In 1893 he won the learned tailoring, but spent the greater part of 
afifections of Hattie J- Espy, daughter of Frank his life on the farm, where he attained a degree 
A. Espy of West ^Middlesex, Pa., a bright young of prosperity and was regarded as a very success- 
lady of many accomplishments and excellent ful and wide-awake agriculturist. He belonged 
points, and she consented to share his fortunes to the Whig party originally, Init at the advent 
for better or for worse, and to bear his name, of the RepubHcan party he transferred his whole 
Two children gladden their home — Margery and allegiance to tlie new power in the political 
Glenn. Mr. and Mrs. McClusky arc decided in world, and cast his first vote as an adherent of 
tlheir preference for the Presbyterian Church. that party for John C. Fremont. He was for a 

Mr. McClusky's father, John McClusky, went considerable period a member of the township 
to school in Pulaski township after which he be- board of trustees. His wife was a daughter of 
gan farming, anil continued that mode of life William Holtz of Beaver Co., I'a., and their of?- 
untjl 1887, when he was elected constable and spring was named: William H.; John; Robert; 
tax collector, and he has since served in those David H.: Ella J.; and a babe, demised. Ac- 
capacities without interruption. Mr. McClusky cording to the traditions of the family they were 
is a firm believer in Republican theories of po- Presbyterians in religious belief. At the close of 
litical life, and has served on the county com- her life in 1879 Mrs. McClusky's years nuinbered 
mittee. He is a member of the Masonic fra- sixty-seven, and her husband's age was the same 
ternity, belonging to Lodge of the Craft, No. 433 at his death in 1881. 

of iVew Castle, and is also counted in the mem- Going back one generation farther, John Mc- 
bership of the Chenango Valley Lodge, No. 129, Clusky, the great-grandfather of William D., 
A. O. I . W., of Pulaski. In 1865 his nuptials with was born in Chester Co., Pa., and grew up to 
Mary J. Davidson, daughter of John M. and lie a farmer. He livetl for some time in Wash- 
Mary Davidson of Cumberland Co., Pa., were ington County and later removed to Pulaski, 
celebrated. Four children came to constitute where he was one of the pioneers. He was a 
tlieir family — Altha M., who married \\'iniam S. hard-working man. cleared his own farm, and 
Hopper, now of Allegheny. Pa.: Lauretta J., became well-to-do. He served in the War of 
wedded to T. H. Jewell, a druggist of Pulaski 1812 as a private, and in National afifairs was a 
township, and the mother of a son, .A.rthur, and Whig. His wife, Margaret Black, was a native 
a daughter, Mildred: William D., the subject of of Pulaski township, and these children gathered 
this sketch: and F. Roy, who lives at home. To under the roof-tree: Robert, James, Samuel, 
the great sorrow of the family Mrs. McClusky's William, Nellie. Joseph, Isaac, Alexander, Mary, 
life terminated on June 3, 1894, at forty-nine and Elizabeth. They were of the Presbyterian 
years of age. faith. Mr. McClusky's life was finished in 1850, 

Joseph McLlusky. the paternal grandsire of and his good wife survived him six years. 




% ^ 




WILLIAM BROWN. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



587 



WILLIAM BROWN. Lawrence County, al- 
though not including coal-mining as one of her 



very comfortable circumstances and gave his 
children all the advantages that could be readilv 



chief industries and sources of wealth, for she is obtained where he lived at that time. His father 



not so favorably situated as some of her sister 
counties in that respect, and depending mainly 
on her surpassing agricultural and manufactur- 
ing interests for her excellent showing, yet has 
no small number of mines and banks still un- 
touched. Without doubt the largest and best con- 
ducted mine in the county is the one at Chew- 
ton in the southern part of Wayne township, 
wliicli the 1'. & W. Co. operates. The mine is 
only a three-foot vein but is advantageously 
worked bv means of an incline; it is situated on 



was a soldier in the British Army under the 
Duke of Wellington, at Waterloo, as was also 
our subject's grandfather, Brown. William 
Brown's father, Thomas, mentioned before, was 
a lad of about seven years when that decisive vic- 
tory over the French took place, which sent the 
ambitious world-conqueror to the Island of St. 
Helena, and he remembered well the talk of the 
victory and the fact that his father was a par- 
ticipant. From that tender age he began working 
in the mines, and his whole life was devoted to 
the bluffs above Chewton. The mines were put that industry. Thomas Brown emigrated with 
in operation and have since been superintended his family from England about 1837 or 1838, 
by William Brown, the subject of this biography, settling first in Nova Scotia, where he remained 
whose acquaintance with mines and mining a few years, but he was not taken with the 
methods is unsurpassed by that of anyone in this country and the climate was too cold to please 
region. The 1'. & W. Co. was indeed fortunate him. Coming from there to New York, via the 
in obtaining the services of such a mining ex- Boston & Fall River route, he shortly after- 
pert, for if there is any success to be had in the wards settled near Pottsvillc, Schuylkill Co., Pa., 
development of a mine, he is the one to find it where he had charge of extensive mines, and 
and secure it. where our subject was born. Later he moved to 

The gentleman named above was born in Lock Haven. I'a., where lie resided a few years, 
Schuylkill Co., Pa., Sept. 10, 1844, and was a going from there to Irving Station, and thence 
son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Potter) Brown, to Freeport, located on the Allegheny River, 



w'ho were both natives of Dudley. England, and 
tenants on the estate of the Earl of Dudley. The 
father of Elizabeth Potter was a mine operator, 
leasing his mine from the Karl of Dudley: it was 
practically equivalent to being a mine owner in 
this country, for, as everyone knows, in the Old 
Country there are very few" men of small hold- 
ings, and nearly everybody leases from the land- 



where he was prominent in mining circles, and 
accumulated a comfortable competency in real 
estate and other property. Inteneling to spend 
his declining years among his kinsfolk in Xova 
Scotia, he sold his property in Pennsylvania ami 
in 1866 moved to that British province. He 
found, however, that he could not live contented 
on the Queen's soil, for he was not in harmony 



ed proprietor who is generally found in the with the institutions of the Dominion, having 
ranks of the nobilitv. Thus Mr. Potter was in become a naturalized citizen of the L^nited 



588 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

States, and a true sympathizer of the "Stars and months longer, as the wages he was receiving 
Stripes." C)n his return to the States he settled were quite remunerative, and he did not know 
at Leetonia, ( )hio. which place continued to be just how soon he might do as well in his native 
his home until his death in 1873 ^^ 'he age of country. When he finally did come back to this 
sixty-four. country, he settled with his parents at Leetonia, 
Our subject lived in Schuylkill County until he which continued to be his home for many years. 
was eight years of age, when his parents moved From his boyhood up ]\Ir. Brown has taken an 
to Lock Haven, remaining there a few years and intense interest in mining, a taste that was 
eventually going to Irving Station and finallv largely hereditary, for his ancestors for a number 
taking up their residence in Freeport. In all of of generations in both branches of the family 
these places he attended the common schools, had looked to mining as the means of support- 
and finished his education at the age of sixteen, ing themselves and family: so it was natural that 
thereupon becoming a mine-worker, commenc- when choosing his walk in life he selected that 
ing at the lowest station and working his way to which he was the best adapted by birth and 
to the top. \\'hen nearly of age, Mr. ISrown en- training. His knowledge has been gained by ex- 
listed in Co. C, 14th Reg. Pa. A'ol. Inf.. under perience in all the grades of work, and also from 
Col. McCombs, serving one year in the .emer- the best works on practical mining, written by 
gency. The bloody battle of Antietam was the men whose authority in such matters is supreme, 
only one in which his regiment participated dur- Our subject is known as one of the most efScient 
ing its year of service, it being emploved the experts in mining matters in the r)hio Valley, 
rest of the time in chasing the enemv from i)iiint being called into consultation when new mines 
to point, l)ut never succeeding in bringing on are to be opened and c^ld ones are to undergo 
an engagement more than a slight skirmish. He development in new directions. When it was de- 
was mustered out at Harrisburg at the close of cided by the B. & C>. and P. & \\'. Co. to open 
the war. mines of their own to supply their motive power, 
Resuming the work and duties of civilian life, the officials of the road, who were old school- 
Mr. Brown removed with his parents to Nova mates and intimate friends of ]\Ir. Brown and 
Scotia, where he at once took a prominent part knew well his excellent standing among mine 
in the mining industry, and, according to the operators, turned to him for his opinion as an ex- 
regulations of the company and the laws of the pert on the venture, and to locate, open and de- 
Dominion, became a member of the militia com- velop their mines. He accordingly selected a spot 
pany stationed there. He was oiifered an ol^cer's on the blufTs above Chewton, where the three- 
commission, but refuseil it, for he was only foot vein of excellent steam coal should be 
obliged to spend one-seventh the time as a pri- opened, and superintended the construction of 
vate as he would have as an officer. When his the incline and of the chutes by which the coal 
parents again removed to the States at the end is distributed with no unnecessary handling, and 
of a year, Mr. Brown remained behind four with a speed and efficiency that is truly surpris- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



>S9 



ing, as it is very unusual. Mr. Drown lias un- 
usual tact in manaj^int:: ukmi. Having begun at 
the bottom of the ladder he knows their good 
points as well as their faults, their natures and 
their needs, and at the same time possesses ex- 
ecutive ability to employ them to the best ad- 
vantage of his employers, looking always to the 
rights and privileges of the men, and respecting 
them. When he must use the iron hand of dis- 
cipline and show his authority, the sting of the 
blow is tempered by its judicious use. It was 
through Mr. I'.rown's management that the 
mines at Leetonia were nearly trebled in their 
output by putting in an incline; the measure was 
eventually worked out there in less than half of 
the time it would ordinarily have taken. 

Mr. Brown was married in Leetonia to Emma 
Byerly, a native of Washingtonvillc, Columbiana 
Co., Ohio, and daughter of Christopher and Bar- 
bara (Grimm) Byerly, the former of whom died 
May 6, 1897. The Grimms were among the pi- 
oneers of Leetonia, Washingtonvillc, the suburb 
of that city being located on the old Grimm farm. 
The union of our subject and his excellent com- 
panion has been blessed with six children, 
namely — Arthur, who is his father's clerk and 
bookkeeper at the mines; Curtis, who is learning 
the machinist's trade and a noble young man; 
Charles Clyde, Lillie May, and Ada Edna. Mr. 
Brown was reared an Episcopalian and still ad- 
heres to that faith. Mrs. Brown is a member of 
the M. E. Church, whili- Arthur, the eldest son, 
has united himself to liie Lutheran Church. In 
politics Mr. Brown is a Republican and has been 
a local leader in the various towns in which he 
has lived. He has served as president of the 
school board, and has been a member of the 



town council. He is trea'^urer of the Miners' So- 
ciety, and was always elected their spokesman 
in convention and assemblies. He serves in coun- 
ty conventions, and was a member of the delega- 
tion that attended the unveiling of the Garfield 
Monument. Socially he is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias, Welcome Lodge, No. 279, 
at Washingtonvillc, Ohio. 

Mr. Brown has always taken a lively interest 
in educational matters, serving frequently on 
schcHjl boards and giving his best talents in such 
services. He was a member of two library asso- 
ciations in Washingtonvillc. and is now a mem- 
ber of the association at Wam])um, the borough 
across the river from his present home. I le is a 
reader and thinker, giving especial attention to 
general scientific subjects, as well as to all that 
pertains to mines and mining, his chosen voca- 
tion. As a practical mine operator, and a fitting 
representative in many particulars of one of our 
most important industries, the publishers take 
])leasure in presenting Mr. Brown's portrait in 
connection with this, a brief outline of his life and 
works, his likeness appearing on a preceding 
page. 



J. WESLEY RHODES, a prominent citizen 
and farmer of Hickory township, although now 
partially retired from active agricultural work, 
was born in Miftlin township. Allegheny Coun- 
ty, Jan. 5, 1829, and is a son of Henry and Lydia 
(Brown) Rhodes, both of whom were born in 
Allegheny County. 

The Rhodes family is of (jerman descent, and 
the first of this branch of the family known to 



590 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

have settled in tlie United States was one Con- ine; J. Wesley; and one that died in infancy. Our 
rad Rhodes, the grandfather of J. Wesley, who subject's father lived until 1834, when he was 
came to America about 1788, and settled in the removed from the midst of his sorrowing family 
vicinity of Pittsburg on the Monongahela River. l)y the cruel hand of Death at the age of forty- 
He was a pioneer among the [)ernianent settlers five vears. Mrs. Rhodes, after her husband's 
of that part of the State; he purchased a large death, having a large family of small children to 
tract of undeveloped wilderness, which he cleared support and educate, married Robert Sample, a 
ami successfully engageil in its culture, gather- Presbyterian clergyman, who was a pioneer of 
ing together considerable wealth fur those days, that faith in this part of Pennsylvania. Her death 
and being known as a generally prosperous man; finally took place in 1879, when she had round- 
the property has since revealed rich deposits of ed out a well-si)ent life of eighty-four years, 
coal, which have lieen worked to good advantage J. Wesley Rhodes, after completing a district 
by succeeding owners. He married, while still a school education in the schools of Neshaiuiock 
resident of the Fatherland, a Aliss Pence, who townshij), turned his attention to agricultural 
was also of German parentage, and of the family pursuits, and farming, in connection with min- 
the)- reared, Henry, the father of our subject, ing coal, has been his chief occupation through- 
was one of the youngest. They lived an upright, out the greater part of his life. He has lived ever 
Christian life, in accordance with the sjjiritual since 1832 on the farm, which was purchased 
teachings of the Presbyterian Church, of which by his father, until 1887, when he moved to prop- 
they were devout members. erty near, l.)ut still owning the farm ; on this farm 
Henry Rhodes was educated in the district there is a valuable (juarry, leased to the Atlan- 
schools of Allegheny County, and when a young tic Iron & Steel Co.. and extensively worked by 
man started out for hiiuself in life's battle as the them, the product being used as a tlu.x in the 
proprietor and manager of a tavern in XA'ashing- manufacture of steel. Mr. Rhodes is now living 
ton Co., Pa. Later on he purchased a farm, in partial retirement, nut ])aying so nuich per- 
which he carried on for a nuiul:)er of years until sonal attention to the agricultural operations on 
about 1832, when he purchased the farm, a part his farm as in years past when his health would 
of which is now owned and operated by his son, have Ijetter permitted it, but rather living in 
j. Wesley. The i-emainder of the active years of peace and plenty, enjo_\ing the fruits of many 
his life were spent in agricultural pursuits with years of toil, and the friendshi]) of his scores of 
so marked success that he was included among intimate acquaintances, by whom he is held in 
the foremost men of his township. His political the highest esteem and regard, 
allegiance was always cheerfully given to the It was in 1857 that his marriage with Louisa 
Whig ])art) . He married a daughter of Trustreiu Thomas, grandmother of Morgan Thomas of 
Brown, and to them were born the following New Castle, Pa., was solemnized, and this union 
children: John; Sarah; David; Conrad; Rachael; has been blessed with seven children; the five 
Henry H.; Samuel, deceased; Thomas; Cather- of whom are living are; Charles W., wdio mar- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA IVRENCE COUNTY. 



o91 



rierl Agues Aiken; Mary, wlio married Robert put iiidividuaJ interests in the background and 
Tliompson of Hickory township; Sarah E., who to serve his bleeding country first. Consequent- 



became the wife of William Brenneman of Scott 
township; Fred L. ; and Walter W. Mr. Rhodes 
is a Republican in his political affiliations, and 
has been honored with a place on the scliool 
board, but this was only at the solicitations of 
his friends who knew with what credit he could 
serve the township, for he is naturally a home 
man, and desires nothing better than to enter- 



ly his enlistment was a matter of formality soon 
ended satisfactorily, and on Aug. 6, 1862, Mr. 
McMillin became a member of Co. B, 134th Reg. 
Pa. \'oI. Inf.. under Capt. James McCune and 
Col. M. S. Quay. Day after day he toiled with 
his fellow-soldiers in the ranks, hoping and pray- 
ing that right might not be forever on the scaf- 
fold and wrong forever on the throne. With the 



tain his friends at 'his own fireside, and dislikes faith of disciplined obedience the soldiery 'of the 



all forms of notoriety. The family are regular 
attendants of tiie United Presbyterian Church 
and different members of the housdiold may 
be found in responsible positions in the various 
church societies. 



North beheld "God within the shadows, ever 
watching o'er his own." Mr. McMillin's dis- 
charge came on May 26. 1863. He returned to 
his former vocation in which he achieved suc- 
cess, applying himself diligently to the great 
problem that faces every man — to earn a living 
M ■ ^ I 1 for himself and those dependent on him; by do- 
ing farm work in the summer months Mr. Mc- 
TAMES A. McMlLLlX. Of the sturdy farm- Millin accumulated the means to purchase a farm 
ers wdio furnish for the nation the supplies of and become independent. In accordance with 



food products Lawrence County has its full 
quota. Its men arc known as citizens of long 
residence, who are closely bound to the grand 
old Keystone State, believing that it holds a po- 
sition that is second in importance to no other 
commonwealth. Of such a stamp is James A. 
McMillin of Scott township, who is a farmer, 
descended from an ancestry of farmers. 

Mr. McMillin laid a broad foundation for his 
life work, seizing everj- available advantage and 
raising himself to a high plane of manhood. For 
some time he was engaged in educational work, 
being well fitted to train the pliant mind of 
youth by his general character and preparation. 
He gave up this employment at the call of the 
Nation for its stanch supporters, choosing to 



his early spirit of ambition Mr. McMillin did 
not drop from all connection with the outside 
world beyond the limits of his daily toil, but 
kept himself informed on the topics of the day, 
especially in the political field, evincing the true 
American fidelity to candidates of his party, the 
Republican. For ten years our subject dis- 
pensed justice in the official capacity of justice of 
the peace, and he was known as a man of probity 
and fairness. The same intelligence displayed in 
material affairs extended to those of spiritual 
well-being, and the McMillins have ever meas- 
ured their lives by the standards and conformi- 
ties of the United Presbyterian Church. 

Mr. McMillin entered into a matrimonial al- 
liance with Sarah Emery of Scott township, and 



592 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

their home life has been blessed in the births of antl grew to mature years. Alarv was united to 
two children: Jennie, \vho resides at home, and Anderson (Gardner and a quartet of children 
Jolm L., who is attending the Normal School of came to their family circle, Archibald \\'.. How- 
Slipperv R-ock. The young people inherit the ard, Jennie, and Catherine. The second daugh- 
mental activity of their parents, and are favor- ther, Catherine, became the wife iif James A. Ray 
ites in the neighborhood of their home. O'f New Castle. Edward M. espoused Sarah 
Some information in regard to the parentage Johnson (>! Alleg^heny City. He was a gallant 
of Mr. McMillin ma\- be gleaned from the fact follower of "C)ld Glory" in many engagements 
that his father grew up in Westmoreland and of the late war, serving four years in the lootli 
Beaver counties. Pa., where he was esteemed a Pa. \ ol. Inf., known as the "Roundhead Regi- 
man of more than ordinary attainments and his ment." Their h(jme is miw in the State of llli- 
life work ran on parallel lines with that of his son, nois. Martha became the helpmeet of Tohn E. 
as he, too, was an instructor and devoted himself Forbes of Slippery Rock township, and she bore 
to agriculture. About 1820 Archibald McMillin two daughters, Annie and Jennie, afterwards re- 
came to Beaver County and in a short time pur- sponding to the summons of death when still a 
chased a farm in Shenango township, where he young woman. The McMillins held tenaciously 
remained thirteen years, at that time becoming to the usages of the l^ P. Church, conforming 
the proprietor of an estate in Slippery Rock their lives to its standards and many times ob- 
township, which became his permanent resi- serving the great law of kindness toward others 
dence, being well located near Princeton, less fortunate than themselves. Mr. McMillin 
In addition to the routine of farming. Mr. lived until 1889, rounding out eighty-two years 
McMillin surveyed section after section of land of existence: and Mrs. McMillin survived until 
in his vicinity. At the disruption of the Whig 1894, passing away at eighty-four years of age. 
party Mr. MoMilHn naturally fell into the ranks, Edward ^McMillin. father of Archibald and 
marching under Republican banners, and grandfather of James A. McMillin, was a Penn- 
worked effectually to further that party's power, sylvanian, who loved the State next to his home 
In his official capacity of countv surveyor Mr. and loved ones; about 1820 he located in Beaver 
McMiillin displayed his public spirit and devo- County, wdiere he operated a farm for twelve 
tion to business, and for some \ears he laid down years, becoming a highly valued resident. As 
the law as justice of the peace, and also served he was shrewd and energetic in business afifairs, 
as county conmiissioner of Beaver Countv be- Mr. McMillin held a responsible position as a lo- 
fore Lawrence was formed, in which position he cal leader of the ^\''hig party. For his wife Mr. 
gave general satisfaction. In the person of Jane McMillin selected Agnes Lamont, a lady . of 
Aiken of Wayne township Mr. McMillin funnd Scotch parentage, and to them were born this 
a companion in every way worthy of her posi- family: Archibald, onr subject's father; Sarah, 
tion in his affections: to the [lair were born six deceased; Edward, who married Jane Leslie of 
cliildren. five of whom endured life's struggle Shenango township and has a daughter, Agnes 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



593 



(Chambers); James espoused Eliza Frew of 
Slippery Rock township, and they have two 
sons, Edward A. and J- Mihoii; Margaret be- 
came the wife of Joseph M. Burton of Scott 
township, and they have two children, J. Mans- 
ford and Mary (Baif) of Xe\v Castle; William 
married Ellen McMillin of Shenango township, 
and they have a large family of bright young 
people — Emma, Wesley, Dr. Herman E., Jennie 
M., Adaline, John C, Ellen, Matilda, and Mar- 
tha C. As their descendants have clung to the 
U. P. Church, the family tendency to upright- 
ness is manifested in an unusual degree. Few 
people gain such an honored place in the society 
in ■which they move, and few are as worthy as the 
McMillin familv. 



WILLIAM D. ELLIOTT. In giving a list of 
the prominent and representative citizens of 
Lawrence County it would be a greivous mis- 
take on the part of the publishers of this Book 
of Biographies to omit mentioning the name of 
the leading farmer and miller of Scott township, 
William D. Elliott, who is entitled, both by 
reason of his own eventful life and present po- 
sition and by the leading part his father and 
grandfather took in the settlement and develop- 
ment of this section of the country, to honorable 
mention. From the time that our subject first 
struck out for himself his lines were cast in many 
different occupations over widely separated 
stretches of country, until at the age of thirty- 
five he returned to his native State and county 
and settled down in his present position. His 
grandfather was one of the early surveyors of 



Mercer, and what is now Lawrence County, and 
performed valuable work in inducing settlers of 
the better class to come to this undeveloped 
country and take up homes. 

Our subject was born Jan. 2, 1832, and was a 
son of James P. and Margaret (Dennison) Elli- 
ott, the former of whom was born in Scott town- 
sliip in 1800, and the latter was born in Spring- 
field township. Mercer County, in 1805. \\"illiam 
Elliott, our subject's grandfather, was a native 
of Pittsburg or its vicinity. He took up the civil 
engineer's profession and fitted himself for fron- 
tier work. About 1791 he came into Mercer 
County and surveyed the country for miles 
around, and ti3ok a hand in building up the 
country and developing its wonderful resources. 
He was one of the very first men to settle in 
Mercer County, and it was through his efTorts 
that many pioneers attracted by his accounts of 
its excellent features, resolved to make that 
their home, and so became valued citizens and 
the ancestors of many of our best people. He 
became a very prosperous man of that time, and 
although he died when only thirty-eight years 
old, about 1812 or 1813, he owned at one time 
1,000 acres of land. He did not follow his trade 
continuously, but settled down on a farm and 
followed the steady, well-tempered life of a tiller 
of the soil. The homestead is now owned by his 
grandson, William D., the subject of this writ- 
ing. He was liberal and not at all exacting in 
his religious belief, and was a Whig, politically. 
He married Agnes Perry, a native of Scotland, 
and to them were born five children: James P., 
the father of our subject, deceased, July, 1884, 
aged eighty-four years; Cyrus; Benjamin F. ; 
Xancv, deceased; and Eliza, deceased. Our sub- 



594 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

ject's grandmother departed this life in 1848, dry goods store. He remained in thai city 

aged sixty-five years. about two years, anil from there went to Pekin, 

Tames P. Elliott, the father of our subject. 111., where he became bookkeeper for a grain 
early took up the occupation of an agriculturist, and lumber firm, in whose employ he remained 
and followed that most independent of all call- for a year and a half. He then engaged as man- 
ings for the rest of his life; he also carried on an ager and head bookkeeper for a large distilling 
extensive milling business, which is now one of company in. the same place. His next location 
the chief sources of incijme of his son, our sub- was in St. Louis, Mo., where he was employed 
ject. ]ji his political belief he was originally a one year as a bookkeeper. He later engaged in 
Republican, l.)Ut of late years before his death the conmiission business with a JMr. D. r>. Mar- 
he voted with the Democratic party. He was a tin, continuing in that comiection for about three 
live, energetic, public-spirited man, who was years. He then went aboard the Mississippi 
never found lacking in interest in any movement steamboat, the Polar Star, which ran from St. 
that was calculated to better the condition of Louis to Memphis, Tenn., and was employed on 
the conmumity and result in its a<:lvancemcnt the boat as clerk for about two years. In 1867, 
from a business, educational, social or religious having seen enough of a wandering life and de- 
point of view. He married Margaret Dennison, siring to settle down and enjoy the rest of his 
daughter of William Dennison of Springfield life, he returned to the old homestead, and has 
township, Mercer County, and to them were since devoted his attention to farming and mill- 
given five children, whose record is given below: ing. He has found the latter business very prof- 
Eliza married John Elder and reared a family of itable, and Elliott's mills have a wide reputation 
five children — Margaret, William J., Lillie. among" good housewifes for the excellent cliar- 
•Mary, and John; Caroline married Albert G. acter of the flour, which is considered to be with- 
Courtney of Enisworth, Allegheny Co., Pa., and out an equal in this section. In his political 
made him the father of three children — James views he adheres stronglv to the Democratic 
P. E., Clarence C, and Margaret; Rebecca is de- principles, and he has held the ofifice of postmas- 
ceased; as is James also; and William D. is the ter of Elliott's Mills, besides divers township 
subject of this writing. In his religious belief ofifices. 

James P. Elliott was liberal in general tendency. In 1878 our subject was joined in marriage 

and did not belong to any church organization, with Margaret J. McNair, daughter of William 

His wife survived his death one year, passing McNair of Erie, Pa., and to them have been 

away to rejoin those gone before, in 1885. given two children — James B., who died when 

As soon as his schooling was completed, our four vears and a half of age, and Certrude, who 

subject engaged as a clerk in a retail dry goods was born April Q. 1883. In his religious l.ielief 

store in New Castle, where he worked and be- our subject is liberal. Socially he is a Mason, 

came acquainted with the business until he went being a member of Mahoning Lodge, No. 243, 

to Philadelphia, where he clerked in a wliolesale F. & A. M., of New Castle, Pa. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



095 



JOHN McGKAW is the bearer of a name 
that is well and favorably known throughout 
Lawrence Co., Pa. He is one of the tillers of the 
soil of Mahoning township, who has, by his own 
efforts, secured a place in the list of solid and 
prominent men of the western end of the Key- 
stone State. The birthplace of our subject was 
in Armstrong Co., Pa., and he came into life 
Nov. 22, 1832. His parents were John and Eliza 
(Brown) McGraw. 

The senior McGraw was a native Pennsylva- 
nian, and in his younger days learned the stone- 
mason's trade. This craft stood him in good 
stead the most of his life, which was not a long 
one, for he died at forty years of age, at the 
Great \¥estern Iron Works, Bradley's Bend, Pa. 
Typhoid fever was the immediate cause of his 
early demise. Six children, all fit whom are liv- 
ing at this time, survived him; they were: Fran- 
cis: John: Cynthia; Thomas; Lydia; and Silas. 
His widow wedded as her second husband Mr. 
John Johnson, and by him had two children — 
Emma and Sadie. The latter is now deceased. 

John McGraw, our subject, when only eigh- 
teen years of age, entered the rolling mills at 
Wood's Run, Allegheny County, near Pittsburg, 
and spent two years learning the secrets of that 
vast industry which has made Pittsburg re- 
nowned over the whole world. Not finding this 
line of work (juite to his taste he turned his at- 
tention to agriculture. In 1875 he bought part 
of tlie Thomas Williams farm in Mahoning 
township, an estate which he holds and on which 
he makes his residence at the present time. He 
erected a new house in 1876, and before many 
years had ela[)scd he had tlie series of improve- 
ments under wav that have niacU' liini the owner 



of one of the best and most productive places 
in this fine farming section. The excellent 
orchards, which are now in their prime, were 
set out and carefully tended by him. He de- 
voted his time to general farming, but his land 
is especially well adapted to grain and stock-rais- 
ing, two lines in which he excels. 

John IMcGraw was united in the holy bonds 
of wedlock to Miss Ella Cole, daughter of Ensor 
Cole, a well-to-do citizen of Eastern Pennsylva- 
nia. In the month of August, 1895, she was re- 
moved from the scenes of this life, when aged 
sixty-four years. She was the mf)ther of eight 
children, who were born in the order given be- 
low, and were named: Samantha Jane; Frank 
M.; John C. F.; Duira A.; William E.; Thomas 
W. ; Mary Ellen: and Silas E. Samantha Jane 
became the wife of William Holliday of Brown 
Co., Kansas, and has borne her husband these 
children: L. Gertrude; John ]\I.; Willie; Cora; 
Eva; and two deceased. Frank married Mary 
ShafTer, and is a well-to-do farmer of North 
Beaver township; they have two children — Clar- 
ence and Cdeimie. John C. F., who resides in 
Mahoningtown, married Lizzie M. Ripple and 
has four children — Lee, PVed, Ella, and Ada. 
Duira is the wife of a merchant of Ellwood City, 
Pa., L. S. Randolph; they have two children — 
Lloyd and Wilbur. William E. espoused Eliza- 
Ix'th Mitchell, and has two children — Gay and 
Willie; he is a farmer of considerable means of 
Tlilltown, Pa. Thomas married Lucy McGuire 
and resides at home. Mary Ellen lives at Wam- 
pum and is the wife of Clarence Webster, a 
miner; they have three children — CIrace, Ethel 
and lulitli. lulwin is a clerk in a store at Ell- 
wood City, Pa. 



59G BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Jdhn McGraw is a man of sterling wortli, un- Lake Erie. Of his thirteen children, Sarah Ann 

questioned integrity and steady reliability. He was the third in order of birth. Joseph Kannel 

has always been a prominent member of the lo- was a son of Casper and Barbara Kannel, both 

caJ organization of the Republican party, his of Welsh origin, born Aug. 23, 1787, died Sept. 

convictions in matters of public interest being 13, 1877, at Middleton, Ohio, where Canton, O., 

based on accurate infcjnuation and correct con- now stands. Caspar was a soldier in the Revolu- 

clusions. He is especially well posted on all that tionary War in Capt. Hickman's Co. of the 17th 

is transpiring at home or abrc)ad, and is a fair Regiment of Infantry. 

and impartial judge of men and affairs. He has Martin Snider, the father of John H., was born 

for six years served on the board of school di- ngar Clarkson, Ohio, Nov. 12, 1812, and was a 

rectors, and is at present the supervisor of Ma- saddler and harness-maker by trade. He lived in 

Iioning township. As a man, a citizen, and a East Fairfield and plied his trade until 1855, 

public otificer he is everywhere esteemed, re- when he removed to Rutland, Aleigs Co., Ohio, 

spected and trusted. where he resided until Oct., 1859, 'i"'^' removed to 

A'lantua, Collin Co., Texas, where he resided 
during the war, suffering many inconveniences 
because of his early associations and ties in the 
North, and was also many times in danger of 

JOHN EI. SNIDER. The subject of this his life in that turbulent period, and on several 

biography is a telegraph operator in the employ occasions only the fact of his being a Mason 

of the Pennsylvania Railroad, stationed at New saved him. He followed his trade many years in 

Castle, where he has been kept in continuous McKinney, Collin Co., Tex., and died in Denton 

service for over twenty-three years. He was Count)-, the same State, Aug. 28, 1881. He was 

born in East Fairfield, Columbiana Co., Ohio, a son of Henr\- and Elizabeth (Eerrall) Snider. 

Aug. 6, 1842, and is a son of Martin and Sarah Elizabeth (Eerrall) Snider was born in Lowden 

Ann (Kannel) Snider. Our subject's mother was Co., \''a., April ij . 17Q3. and was a daughter of 

a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Altdoerfer) William and Mary (Bangham) Eerrall, both o'f 

Kannel, and was born near Elkton, Ohio, Nov. whom were of English birth and members of the 

I, i8i6, and died July 13, 1874: Elizabeth was Quaker sect; William Eerrall was a farmer by 

a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, where she occupation. Henry Snider was born Jan. 2-], 

was born Feb. 3, 1793; her <leath occurred June 1790, and was a son of John and Theodocia Sni- 

9, i860; her mother came from Basil, Switzer- der, who were natives of Lowden Co., Va. 

land. Joseph Kannel was of Welsh origin and John II. Snider lived in Columbiana Co., Ohio, 

followed farming. He was a soldier in Capt. J. till 1855, and for the four following years in 

(lilbert's company of Ohio Volunteers in the Meigs County, attending school at every oppor- 

War of 1 81 2, and was in the service at the time tunity in each county. In 1859 he moved with 

of Commodore Perry's victory on the waters of the family to Texas, where, on the outbreak of 




SHUBAEL T. WILDER. 




MRS. SHUBAEL T. WILDER. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



m\ 



tlie war, he was conscripted into the Rebel Army 
but was detailed to serve as a teamster. Learn- 
ing that the teams were to be conscripted, and 
because he owned his own team, he determined 
to desert with his oxen to save himself and them 
from aiding' the traitors' cause. After his first 
desertion he was conscripted again and mustered 
as a private into Co. A, 29th Texas Cavalry, 
serving three years as soldier and bugler; and 
again he deserted, and was this time held a pris- 
oner on Pelican Island in Galveston Bay until 
the close of the war, and came very close to per- 
ishing by starvation. After the war he journeyed 
on liorseljack nine hundred miles to Mahaska 
Co., Iowa, where he attended school through tlie 
winter, and in the succeeding winter was en- 
rolled as a scholar in the schools of Ashley, Ohio. 
In 1870 ho went to Alliance, ( )hio, learned tele- 
graphy, and was afterward stationed at Monteith 
and Muskegon, Michigan, and Alliance, Louis- 
ville, Canton, Orville, Crestline, Loudonville, 
and Youngstown, Ohio, and Homewood and 
Enon Valley, Pa. From the latter place he came 
to New Castle on April 22, 1874, and has since 
ser\'ed the company efficiently at this point, leav- 
ing no ground for a complaint. 

On Dec. 6, 1873, a' Homewood, Pa., Mr. Sni- 
der was married to Laura V. Johnson, who was 
born at Enon. Pa., and was a daughter of David 
and F.lizabeth (Snyder) Johnson; the latter died 
Oct. 13, 1859, aged tifty-one years and five 
months. David Johnson, who died May 21, 1877, 
was a hotel-keeper at Homewood, Pa. Mr, Sni- 
der's marriage has been blessed with four chil- 
dren, who are: William H., a fireman on the 
Pennsyhania Railroad; David ^1., a machinist; 
Charles I'., a telegraph operator; and Ira R., who 



is still attending school. On April 18, 1887, oc- 
curred the death of Laura \'. (Johnson) 
Snider, our subject's wife, and as there 
is no home without a mother, Mr. Snider 
married Mrs. Maria Davis March 3, 1892. Mr. 
Snider has a strong liking for secret societies 
and fraternities, and is a member of the following 
Masonic orders: Lodge of the Craft, F. & A. M., 
No. 433; Delta Chapter, No. 170; Lawrence 
Conmiandery, Xo. 62; Consistory Valley of 
Pittsburg, 32d degree; and Zem Zem Temple of 
tlie Mystic Shrine, Erie, Pa. He is also an Odd 
I'ellow, and holds a membership in the following 
societies: Shenango Lodge, No. 195; Encamp- 
ment, No. 86. He is also a member of Western 
Star Lodge, No. 160, K. of P. He is a member 
of the Junior Order of United American Me- 
cJianics. He attends the Disciples Church, and 
is a Republican when it conies to voting at local. 
State, or National elections. 



SHUBAEL T. WILDER, deceased. The de- 
velo])ment of the iron industry in Western Penn- 
sylvania is of comjjaratively recent years; a half 
century ago, the siuall progress that had been 
made in utilizing the vast stores of native iron 
would not have warranted the most sanguine be- 
liever in the future of this |)art of the country in 
predicting the tenth part of the present indus- 
trial development in the working and manufac- 
ture of iron and steel. Among the foremost of 
the promoters of the iron industry, concurrent 
opinion places the subject of this sketch, who 
was born in Middleboro, Mass.. Oct. 8, 1810. 
an<l died in Massachusetts in 1888. He had 



602 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



moved Ijack from New Castle to Middleljoro 
and had lived there about six years when he met 
with an accident, being killed bv a runaway 
horse. 

Nathaniel Wilder, the grandfather of Shubael 
was one of the early settlers of Middleboro, 
where he followed the vocation of a farmer. He 
was twice married, first to Priscilla Pratt, and 
second to Sarah Wood; by this second union 
there were several children born, of whom 
Thomas, our suliject's father, and Darius were 
the only sons. Nathaniel Wilder and wife were 
Congregationalists. 

Thomas Wilder, like his father, also had farm- 
ing as an occupation, and continued to cultivate 
the farm in Middleboro all his life. His wife, 
Lydia Thomas, a native of Plymouth, Mass., 
bore him four children, of whom the three fol- 



buikling of the Lake Krie Iron Works. He then 
returned to New Castle, and engaged in the 
manufacture of steel plates and sheet iron, but 
was eventually obliged to withdraw himself from 
active business because of his failing health. He 
was a man of rare business ability, and New Cas- 
tle is probably indebted as much to him as any 
one else for the present development of the iron 
industry within its limits, wliich keeps active so 
mucli capital and provides work for hundreds 
upon hundreds of operatives. He was an attend- 
ant of the Presbyterian Church, always giving 
liberally of his wealth for the support of the dif- 
ferent churches. 

In 1832 he was joined in wedlock with Julia 
H. Woodward, daughter of Solomon Woodward 
of Taunton, Mass., and this union was blessed 
with si-x children, three of whom now survive. 



lowing lived to maturity: Evelyn H., Betsey B.; Julia M. married D. B. Kurtz of New Castle, 



and Shubael T. They were also Congregational- 
ists in their religious beHefs and preferences. 

Our subject's educational facilities were some- 
what limited, extenrling only till he was fifteen 
years old, when he set out to support himself, 



and they have five children — Charles M., Emily, 
Lois T., Edward T, and Kate; one child died in 
infancy. Mary E. married James M. Clark, and 
their family consists of themselves and two chil- 
dren: George W., and Julia. Lydia A. deceased. 



learning the nail-maker's trade and working at married Henry Hazen, and they had three cliil- 
it in Middleboro, Mass., until 1836, when he 
went to Fairview, Pa., where he superintended 
a nail mill about two years. In the fall of 1838, 
he moved to New Castle, Pa., where he erected 
a nail mill about two years. In the fall of 1838, 
death soon after, Mr. Wilder formed a stock 
company, which leased the plant and manufac- 
tured nails until 1840, when our subject, in com- 
pany with Mr. A. L. Crawford and brother, 
bought the plant outright, and the business was 
carried on there until 1857, when Mr. Wilder 



dren, Harry W., Wilbur H. and Shubael M., de- 
ceased. Horace A. married Alice Woods of New 
Castle, and they had tw'o children, Herbert Al- 
fred, and a child that died in infancy, also named 
Herljert. Charles Henry and a child unnamed 
died in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Shubael T. Wilder are very ap- 
propriately selected as representatives of the 
highest class of citizens, whose portraits should 
appear in this volume, which are accordingly 
given on preceding pages, accompanying the 



went to Cleveland, Ohio, and superintended the above sketch. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



(iOa 



WILLIAM F. WINTER, proprietor of the 
Central Hotel of Harlansburg, Scott township, 
is "mine host" of one of the most popular pub- 
lic houses in the county outside of New Castle. 
He was born in Shenango township July 5, 1863. 
and was a son of Christian and Margaret (Hoff- 
man) Winter, wlio were both born in the Father- 
land and descended from lines of pure German 
ancestry, possessing excellent and remarkable 
traits of character, which they transmitted to 
their descendants. Our subject is a man of posi- 
tion and influence in the part of the county 
where he resides, for he is richly endowed with 
those characteristics which render our Ger- 
man population of so much value in this land of 
thrift and progress. Being born and raised in 
Lawrence County, he is thoroughly imbued with 
a love for American institutions and has es- 
pecially a large amount of affection for the coun- 
ty of his birth. • 

Christian Winter came to the United States 
to found a home in 1844, and settled in the State 
of Maryland, where he purchased a farm and 
identified himself with the agricultural interests 
of his section for a number of years until he con- 
ceived the idea of taking up his abode in the fer- 
tile country of Western Pennsylvania. He ac- 
cordingly disposed of his Maryland farm and 
removed to Shenango township in 1852, thence 
to Union township about 1869, and purchased a 
farm where he resided the remainder of his life, 
passing to his reward in 1876, aged fifty-seven 
years. The farm is still owned by his heirs. He 
accumulated considerable property, and both as a 
business man and in society was considered a 
valuable member of his communitv. He was a 
full-l)looded Democrat, and earnestly supported 



his party and its measures on all occasions, but 
never aspired to hold public office. In 1846, soon 
after he settletl in this country, he married ]\Iar- 
garet Hoffman, daughter of George Hoffman, a 
native of Germany, and to him and his gocjd 
wife were born seven cliildren. six of whom are 
living. George F.. the eldest son, married Mar- 
tha Calderwood of Union township, who at her 
death at an early age left him one daughter, 
Martha. He then entered into a second union 
with Minnie O'Shca of Boston, Mass., and there 
were born to them seven children — Mary E., de- 
ceased, Elizabeth T., George F., ^lont C, Nor- 
man, Harry, and Charlie. John, the next son, 
married Mary Cameron of Union township, and 
had seven children — James C, Margaret, Mary 
E., John and Nancy, twins, Clara and Edward. 
Elizabeth A. became the wife of James Flinn of 
I'nion township, and bore him seven children — 
Francis, Edward, Charlie, Walter, Mary M., and 
Edna E. Henry took for his wife Mary Edger- 
ton of Union township, and became the father of 
four children — Anna B.. Charlie H., Sarah, and 
Marie. Mary A. married John C. Trussell of 
New Castle. Pa., and bore him one son, Jnhn 
F. The family were faithful comunicants of the 
Catholic Church. 

Our subject, who was the youngest child, was 
educated in the schools of Unitm township, and 
worked on the home farm luilil he was eighteen 
years of age, when he began life {ox himself by 
accepting a position as driver for the American 
Express Co. in the city of New Castle, in which 
connection he was employed for seven years and 
a half. In 1890 he was appointed policeman in 
the same city, and was then employed as clerk 
in the Excelsior Hotel until 1896, when he 



604 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 

moved to Harlanshurg, Scott township, this a short time after reaching the city of llhiladel- 

county, where he leased the hotel property he phia. The daughter, Kittie, married George 

now occupies. He is a very successful young Doubler of (iettyshurg, Pa. 

business man, and what is commonly consid- Joseph Kemp, our subject's father, after re- 
ered a "hustler." He has been industrious and ceiving an education in the schools of Blair 
economical and has accumulated sufficient means township, learned the cooper's trade, and fol- 
to be considered one of the most substantial lowed it all his life in Huntingdon County in con- 
men of his village, and is held in high esteem as nection with farming. His native Dutch thrift 
a man of enterprise and e.Kcellent habits. He and saving habits stood him in good stead in 
is a conscientious Democrat, and takes a lively acquiring a comfortable home, and in providing 
interest in local politics. liberally for his children. His wife, who was 
In 1888 he was joined in the Ijonds of matri- liurn in Petersburg, Huntingdon Co., Pa., bore 
niony with Rose C. Ouigley, daughter of Jnhn him twelve children, namely: Jolm P., our sub- 
Quigley of East I'alestine, ( )hio, and this union ject; Phillip; Peggy; Lydia; William; Molly; 
has resulted to their joy in the Ijirths of three P)etsey: Christina; Andrew; Joseph; Annie; and 
children, named as follows: John L., deceased; Katie. In religious attendance thev were Lu- 
Francis W. ; and Carl, deceased. In religious be- therans. 

lief Mrs. Winter is an Irish Catholic. Mr. Win- John P. Kemp was educated in the schools of 

ter belongs to Robert P.lum Lodge, No. 466, Blair township, and at an early age learned the 

Knights of Pythias, of New Castle. cooper's traile under his father's instruction, and 

followed it a number of years in the latter's shop, 
— ■ ^ I — subsequently turning his attention more in the 

direction of agricultural pursuits. About 1849, 
P )HX P. KEMP, deceased, an aforetime resi- he left his native place for Neshannock town- 
dent of Ncshann()ck township, was a member of ship, Lawrence County (Init then in Mercer 
that large and intelligent bodv of citizens who County), and settled on the farm, now the home 
have contriliuted so much to our wealth as a na- of his widow, which was then in its virgin, un- 
tion and to our welfare as individuals l)y their cultivated state. For a residence he Iniilt a frame 
labors and endeavors in agricultural pursuits. house in which they lived seven years, wlien he 
He was born in Blair township, Huntington Co., erected the present brick structure; the brick 
Pa., May 14th, 181 1, and was a son of Joseph was made on his own farm from e.xcel- 
and Molly (Piper) Kemp, who were of Dutch lent clay beds, and all the wood-work was 
descent. Tin- grandfather and grandmother of done by his own hand, for he was a first- 
our subject commenced the sea vovage to class mechanic in all lines of wood-working and 
America with their little son and daughter, Jos- carpentry. At that time he cleared sixty-eight 
eph and Kittie, but tlie mother was taken sick acres of the eighty acres of land owned by him, 
and died in mid-ocean, and the father onlv lived which are adapted to general farming and stock- 



BOOK OF lUOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



605 



raising, and arc situated about five miles nortli of 
New Castle on the Mercer and New Castle 
"pike," which thus brings the farm into easy 
communication with the markets. He was a 
very ambitious man, and always interested in 
the improvement of his property and in the de- 
velopment of all the resources of the farm. In 
his home life he was a model man, treating his 
wife with that respect and consideration as was 
her due, and extending toward his children a 
warm sympathy with their desires and ambitions 
that made his departure from their midst deeply 
felt. He interested himself in politics as a loyal, 
patriotic American citizen, never pushing him- 
self forward into public notice, but fully content 
to cast his vote for the man of his choice and rely 
on the will of the people as the supreme law; he 
was a \\'iiig and cast his first ballot for William 
llenry JIarrison, the hero of Tippecanoe. He 
became a Republican upon the dissolution of his 
own party, and the organization of the new 
power in politics. 

On Dec. 25, 1832, he was joinetl in marriage 
with Esther Ann Lower}-, daughter of Cjeorge 
and Hettie (Hartman) Lowery of Washington 
County, Maryland. Of the seventeen children 
born of this union, the following ten are the only 
ones now living: Joseph; William; Lydia; Re- 
becca; Susan; ilannali; Florence; John and 
James, twins; and Samuel I'. They were faith- 
ful attendants of the M. E. Church, in whicli 
Mr. Kemp was for many years a member in the 
best of standing. Mrs. Kemp, who was born 
Aug. 26, 1813, still survives her husband, and is 
remarkably active for one of her advanced years, 
and still does her own housework. Mr. Kemp 
died Feb. 14, 1897, aged eighty-five years and 
nine months. 



HOWARD 1). LESLIE, an engineer on the 
P. & W. R. K., whose residence is on Pine 
Street, in Mahoningtown borough, was born in 
North Beaver township, Lawrence County. Oct. 
14, 1863, and is a son of George L. and Mary 
(McMillen) Leslie, who were married in I'utler 
County F\b. 8, 1859. Our subject's mother 
was the younger of two children born to Will- 
iam McMillen, who married a Miss Boone. 
Ceorge L. Leslie was the youngest of three chil- 
dren born to George and Martha (Hopper) Les- 
lie of Westmoreland Co., Pa. The latter was 
a daughter of Robert ILspper, whose wife was a 
Miss Watson; Robert Hopper was a son of Rob- 
ert Hopper, Sr., and both came from County 
Down, Ireland, about 1790, where they had fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits. Robert Hopper, 
Jr., died near Mt. Jackson, this county, at the 
age of ninety-six. George Leslie, the grand- 
father of cur subject, was born in Washington 
Co., Pa., and died in Lawrence County in 1859. 
at the age of sixty-seven. He learned the 
wheelwright's and carpenter's trades, and fol- 
lowed them in his early life, l)ut in later years 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a sol- 
dier in the War of 181 2. He and his wife were 
members of the United Presbyterian Church. 
George Leslie was a son of John and Jane (Neal) 
Leslie, the latter of whom was born in Scotland. 
John Leslie was born in County Down, Ireland, 
and was a farmer in Wasliington County, where 
he first settled; he came to Lawrence County 
in 1800, and in this county his death took place. 
To the parents of our subject three children 
were born : Elizabeth Florence, the wife of Alex- 
ander W. Hart of New Castle; Harriet May; 
and I loward I ). 



606 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Howard U. Leslie lived in North Beaver (Rudisill) ; Jennie, the wife of our subject; Will- 

townsliip until he was five years of age, when iani John: Charles; Rufus; Mary, deceased; 

his parents moved to Jackson Co., ^lo., near (ieorge; and Ethel. To Mr. and Mrs. Leslie 

Lee's Sunnnit, where the family resided seven two children have come to brighten and cheer 

years, returning to New Castle in March, 1876. the home, George Allen and Mary Elizabeth. 

Our subject attended the schools at Lee's Sum- ;Mr. and Mrs. Leslie are members of the United 

mit and at New Castle until he was sixteen years Presbyterian Church of New Castle. Mr. Les- 

of age. When seventeen years old he learned lie is a Republican in politics. I-'irm in his con- 

the trade of marble-cutting of Alexander ^^^ victions. and decided in his opinions, he never 

Hart, his brother-in-law, in New Castle, and la- hesitates to t)ake a bold stand against what he 

bored at that craft seven years, eighteen months considers to be injustice, and fight to the best of 

of which time was spent at Lee's Summit. In his ability against the threatened evil. He is one 

February of 1889 he began firing on the P. & of the best of good citizens, in the number of 

\\'. R. R., at which he was engaged until his which Mahoningtown is especially fortunate, and 

promotion, in December, 1893, to the position has ever done what he could toward the bet- 

of engineer, with a princi[)al run from New Cas- ferment of the different phases of societv found 

tie Junction to Akron, Ohio. He is a member there, 
of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. 

He was married in New Castle to Jennie Al- •m^'^t^m- 
len, a native of Allegheny City, and daughter 

of Thomas and Elizabeth (Simpson) Allen, the ERNEST iM. McCREARY, senior member 

latter of whom was born in ALihoningtown, a of the firm of McCreary Bros., extensive manu- 

daughter of John and Elizabeth (Sample) Simp- facturers of high-grade cigars at East Brook, 

son. John Simpson was a native of Ireland, Hickory township, Lawrence County, was born 

and died in ^Mahoningtown in 1S75, aged sev- in the above-mentioned township Dec. 12, 1869, 

enty-nine years. His father, \\'illiani Simpson, arid is a son of John and Rachel (McCaslin) iMc- 

was one of those who took part in the Irish Re- Creary, grandson of Enoch and Margaret (Pier- 

bellion of 1798; he came to America in 1802, son) McCrearv, and great-grandson of Sanuiel 

when his son was about six years old; they were McCreary, who was one of the early settlers of 

both farmers by accupation. Thomas Allen, the Lawrence County. 

father of Mrs. Leslie, was born in Allegheny Co., Samuel iMcCreary inmiigrated to what is now 

Pa., at McKee's Rocks, in 1830. He learned Lawrence County in 1802 with his wife, and at 

the trade of ship-carpenter, at which trade he once entered upon a long and useful career as 

worked many years in Pittsburg, until after an enterprising agriculturist and large stock- 

the war. C)n his removal to New Castle, he be- raiser. He lived to be eighty years of age, his 

came a contractor and builder. To him and his death taking place in 1858. He was industrious 

wife were born eight children, as follows: Eliza and saving, and even to-dav he would be con- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



607 



sidered well-to-do and prosperous, for he owned 
upwards of six hundred acres. He was a ^\ hig', 
and he and his wife were members of the Pres- 
byterian Church. They reared eight children, 
who were named as follows: Enoch; Eliza; 
Elizabeth; \\'illiani; Thomas; Findlay; Jane; and 
Margaret. 

Enoch McCreary, the eldest son of the forego- 
ing worthy couple, received a good, common- 
sense education in the schools of Neshannock 
township, and became a leading farmer when 
still a young man; he followed this occupation 
all the period of his life in Hickory township on 
the farm, now owned by George Young, and 
departed this life in the month of March, at the 
age of fifty-three years. He was a Whig until 
the formation of the Republican party, and had 
just allied himself with the latter party when 
death claimed him. He married Margaret Pier- 
son, daughter of Samuel Pierson, and to them 
were given eight children: Pierson; Belinda; 
Samuel; Sarah: William; James; John; and 
Enoch. Mrs. McCreary was spared to her chil- 
dren until July, 1885, when the invisible sum- 
mons also came to her and she left mortal scenes 
to rejoin those who had gone before to the 
blessed homeland. She was aged eighty-si.x 
years at her death. 

John McCreary, the father of our subject, has 
followed agricultural pursuits for the most part 
throughout his life, which has been spent in 
Hickory townshi]). In his early years he learned 
the broom-maker's trade, and during the winter 
months when no other work presented itself put 
in many hours to good advantage in making 
brooms. He has also been engaged very exten- 
sively in growing strawberries for the markets. 



having on the average each year some two acres 
of producing plants. He owns about sixty acres 
of fertile land, which is well adapted to general 
farming and fruit-raising. He ira stanch Repub- 
lican, and has ser-\-ed the township in an efficient 
manner as poor director. His wife was a daugh- 
ter of Robert McCaslin of Hickory township, 
who was of Scotch descent, and for many years 
was an extensive stock grower in Australia, be- 
sides liolding valuable interests in gold mining. 
When he came to the United States he settled 
in Hickory township, purchased a large farm, 
and has been chiefly engaged in dealing in stock. 
Mr. and Mrs. McCreary were the parents of five 
children, as follows: Robert L. ; Ernest M., the 
.subject of this sketcii; Samuel P., the junior 
memljcr of the firm of McCrearj'* Bros.; Edith 
E. ; and Ruth E. Tlicy are Methodists and be- 
long to the cinircli of the M. E. denomination in 
East Brook. 

Ernest M. McCreary was educated in the dis- 
trict schools of Brier Hill in Hickory township, 
and when his education was completed learned 
the cigar-maker's trade, and in company with 
Joseph Myers of East Brook carried on the 
manufacture of cigars until 1890 under the firm 
name of Myers & McCreary. In that year he 
went into partnership with his brother, Samuel 
P., and since then they have had the pleasure 
of seeing their business thrive and grow' to 
meet their fondest expectations; the name of 
McCreary Bros, on a bo.x of cigars insures to 
the lovers of the fragrant weed the best that may 
be obtained in aroma, flavor and burning quali- 
ties. ^Ir. McCreary is one of the most enterpris- 
ing citizens of Hickory township, and knows 
how to make his goods popular and his business 



008 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



successful, if anyone does. In politics he is 
strongly attached to the Republican party. The 
East Brook Cornet Band was organized by our 
sul)ject, and he still continues to direct it, and it 
has been in great part due to his persistent ef- 
forts that it ranks high with other musical or- 
ganizations of like character in Western Penn- 
sylvania. Mr. McCreary's talent for music comes 
naturally for the whole McCreary family is well- 
known for its ability in musical lines; our sub- 
ject's brother and partner in Inisiness, Samuel 
P., is also a member of the cornet band. ' )ur 
subject was married Jan. 3, 1894, to Louisa R. 
Stimple, daughter of Henry Stiniple of Pitts- 
burg, Pa., and their union has been blessed with 
the birth of a daughter, Alice L. They are mem- 
bers in good standing of the M. E. Church. 

Samuel P. McCrearv was also educated in the 
schools of Ijrier Hill in Hickory township, and 
at an early age, when just out of school, learned 
the cigar-maker's trade, and then became a part- 
ner of his brother in the manufacture of cigars. 



JOSEPH SCHWEHvERT, who resides in 
Shenango township, but is employed at Law- 
rence Junction in the railroad vards of the Penn- 
sylvania Company, was born in Croton, now a 
part of New Castle, Aug. 8, 1832, and is a son 
of Lawrence and Christiana (Clouse) Schwei- 
kert, the latter a daughter of Philip and Chris- 
tiana (Ackerman) Clouse. Lawrence Schwei- 
kert was born Nov. 22, 1822, in Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, Germany, and came to this country in 
1845, goi'ig direct from the port of arrival to 
Portage Co., Ohio, where he remained but si.x 



weeks. Thence he traveled to Cleveland, and 
next to Youngstown, where he liveil one year. 
One winter he lived in New (.Orleans, and then 
came back to Pennsylvania by way of the Ohio 
River to Pittsburg, and thence to Brady's Bend 
in the fall of 1847, 'I'lcl worked in that locality 
for one year. His life was spent in various 
places from that time to 1853, when he came to 
New Castle to work in the ore banks at Croton; 
in 1858 he bought the farm in Shenango town- 
ship, antl in 1861 took full possession. He was 
a son of Valentine and Cecelia (Schreiner) 
Schweikert, and grandson of Joseph Schweikert. 

The subject of this brief biography was 
reared in Croton village until he was nine years 
of age, when his father moved to Shenango 
township, which has since been his home. 
He attended the district schools until he 
was si.xteen years old. When the fam- 
ily moved to the new farm in Shenan- 
go township it was all in timber, and the 
boys, together with their father, had a hard time 
clearing it and preparing it for the large crops 
of grain and corn that have since been har- 
vested from it. Mr. Schweikert lived under the 
parental roof mitil his marriage, when he took 
up his residence in a comfortable house on a 
part of his father's farm. He was interested in 
farming operations until 1893, when he secured 
work on the Pennsylvania Company's line, be- 
ginning work at noon Ajiril 12, 1893, at Law- 
rence Junction. 

His marriage took place Dec. 12, 1885, in New 
Castle, the bride being Mary Jane Kelly, who 
was born in Butler County, a daughter of Sam- 
uel and Sarah A. (Thompson) Kelly. Sarah 
A. Thompson was a daughter of Joseph and 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 609 

Mary (Patton) Thompson, the former a soldier Franklin township, and the latter of Cherry 

in the War of i8i2. Samuel Kelly was born township. The paternal grandfather of the l)oc- 

in Erie, Pa., a son of Aaron and Ruth (Hale) tor was John Sproiill, a native of Ireland, who 

Kelly. Mr. Schweikert is the first in a family after his marriage emigrated to America and 

of nine born to his parents, and his wife is sec- settled in Franklin township in the latter part 

ond in a family of thirteen born to her parents, of the i8th century, lie pursued the vocation of 

They are both members of St. Joseph's Catholic farming, jnuxhasing a tract of wild land, which 

Church of Xew Castle. Our subject is a Demo- he set about subduing to the wants of civilized 

cral in politics. He is rapidly making himself man. He was in his day considered a very pios- 

a pillar of the community in which he lives, and perous and well-informed man, and had much 

is esteemed as a thoroughly honest, capable and influence througliout his district. To his first 

industrious citizen. wife, whom he had married in Ireland, four diil- 

dren were born: Robert; William; Hugh, the 
«».^*»- father of our subject; and Josciyh. After the de- 
mise of his first wife Mr. Si)roulI wedded a Mrs. 

DR. JOHN P. SPROULL, a metlical prac- Kincaid, but this union was barren of children, 

titioner of Pine Grove township. Pa., is a gen- Mr. Sjiroull reared his family in the faith of the 

tieman whose trained abilities and skilled re- Presbyterian Church. 

sources have brought him into public notice and Hugh Sproull, born in 1824, after he had im- 

have won for \\\\\\ the regard, esteem, and re- billed all the learning that the common schools 

spect that are justly due a man of his usefulness could impart, learned the trade of a carpenter 

in the life of the conununity. The work of a and joiner. He then went to Cherry township, 

physician, from its innate nature, is of the kind where he has resided ever since. His industries 

that brings him into the closest relationship with have been various. He through his active life 

the people. The way in which he carries his worked at his craft, became the owner of a val- 

heavy responsibilities is ever to the jjublic a mat- ual)Ie farm of 200 acres, and for years super- 

ter of the most vital importance. Th'at Dr. intended the operation of a grist-mill. Though 

Sproull knows hdly the ethics of his profession, to-day an aged man. he is a ])ower and an inllu- 

as well as the teachings, and every day of his ence in the township. Like his father he vvas 

life lives up to them, admits of no discussion, twice married. His first wife, a Miss Elizabeth 

His high standing everywhere proves his fidelity Smith, daughter of Jolin Smith, gave birth to 

to his ])atienls' interests, and his success proves two children: Elizabeth J., the wife of C. S. 

his talents. Stoner of P.utler, Pa., and J(*hn P., the subject of 

Dr. Sproull is a native of I'.utler Co.. Pa., be- our ske^tch. .She died Aug. 13. 1848. A few 

ing born in Clay township Jan. 6. 1847. His years later, Mr. Sproull married Sarah Glenn of 

father was Hugh and his mother was Elizabeth Clay township, and by this union ten children 

(Smith) Sproull, the former being a native of came into the household, as follows: W'illiam 



010 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



S., now deceased; Eleanor G., also deceased; 
William J., who died while a medical student in 
the Cleveland Medical College; Ada, the wife of 
Jacob Kennick of Butler Co., Pa.; Andrew, who 
married Emma Christley of lUitler Co.; Rella, 
the wife of Samuel Hindman of llranchton. Pa.; 
Everett, who is engaged in the grocery business 
in Chicago, 111; Ross, who wedded a Miss Hind- 
man, and is a resident of Butler Co.; and Minnie, 
the consort of Rush Hockenbury, also of Butler 
Co., Pa. In politics, Air, Sproull since the found- 
ing of the party has been a Republican. In 
church matters, the family are L'nited Presby- 
terians. 

Dr. John P. Sproull, our subject, first attended 
the pul)lic schools. Qualifying for the profes- 
sion of a teacher, he followed that calling for 
seven vears, during that period obtaining ad- 
vanced instruction at the Sunbury Academy. 
Finishing the academic course and being gradu- 
ated, he read medicine with Dr. Gibson of Cleve- 
land, Ohio, for two years. Then he entered the 
Cleveland Medical College, and was graduated 
with high honors in 1877. His first .field of prac- 
tice was in Plain Grove, wliere he has since 
grown to be one of the most necessary and use- 
ful citizens of the conmiunity. 

In 1867, he was united in the bonds of matri- 
mony with Miss Lucinda J. Wasson, daughter 
of William Wasson of Sunbury. L^ito them 
were born six children, three of whom survive. 
Those living are: Millie E., the wife of Dr. J. E. 
Magee of .Salem, Venango Co., Pa., and the 
mother of two children, Frank and an infant 
named Alary Mabel; William A., a student, now 
attending the Dental College at Clevelantl, C)hio; 
and Ada Al., who is liviu"' at home. In social 



affairs, the Doctor is none the less active than in 
his professional duties. He is devoted to the 
United Presbyterian Church, and is a member of 
the Sessions. In medical circles, he is one of the 
best-known physicians of the Lawrence County 
Aledical .Society. Politically, he was a Repub- 
lican, but of late has been a strong temperance 
man, and a follower of the Prohibition party. In 
spite of a life filled to the utmost with the many 
cares and duties of a general practice. Dr. 
.Sproi'dl has kept in step with the wonderful ad- 
vances made by his profession during late years. 
He is pre-eminently of a studious turn of mind, 
and his reading covers an extensive field over 
and beyond the actual needs of his vocation. He 
is fortunate in his home surroundings and in the 
fact that liis life work has been among a people 
who know well how to appreciate real worth and 
honest endeavor. 



SETH RIGBY, a prosperous farmer of Shen- 
ango township, who is carrying on farming op- 
erations on his farm, situated in t'he suburbs of 
New Castle, was born C)ct. q, 1837. He is the 
third of that name in direct descent. His father, 
Seth Rigby, was born in the Shenandoah \'al- 
ley and came to Lawrence County in 1801, when 
a boy, his father settling where our subject re- 
sides. The father of our su1)ject was a soldier 
in the War of 181 2, in which he served one year, 
and was a participant in the battle of Lake Erie; 
his death took place at the age of eighty-seven 
years. He was a carpenter and cabinet-maker 
and worked at Iiis trade nianv vears at New 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



r.ll 



Castle. He was second in a family of seven sons riagc: Ida ^fay, who married Samuel Parks, 

and two daughters born to his parents: the sons and has one daughter, ^^abel Ruth; Harvey E.. 

all became skilled mechanics. He married Mar- who married Jennie Shoaf. and has a little girl. 

garet Brady, who was born in Westmoreland Pearl; Margaret Luella; Robert Perry; Hugh; 

County, a daughter of Samuel P>rady, who was Susan; and Frank, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. 

a native of Germany. Our subject's grand- Rigby arc members of the Disciples Church, 

fatlicr, Seth Rigby, was born near Leeds. Eng.. Mr. Rigby is a firm Republican. He is a nicni- 

was a carpenter and wagon-maker by trade, and ber of the Junior Order. of I'nited American 

lived to the exceptional age of ninety-five years; Mechanics, and Knights of Labor, and was 

he married a Miss Clark, wlio was born in Mr- formerly a member of the L O. O. F. This is. 

ginia of Irish ancestry. in brief, the outline of ^fr. Rigby's life. As a 

Our subject was reared on the paternal farm young man he was industrious and persevering, 

on Sheep's Hill, and attended the district not easily daunted by difficulties or reverses. 



schools till he was nineteen \ears old; from that 
age till the outbreak of tjie war he lived with his 
father, and gave him all liis time and earnings. 
He enlisted in Cn. r>, 14th Reg. Pa. \'ol. Cav.. 
and served two years anil ten months, mostly in 
West Virginia and Shenandoah \'alley. He 
was in many skirmishes, was under fire fifty-two 
times, and fought in the battles of Winchester, 
Haysville. Droop ^^t., Rocky (lap, Opecan 
Creek, Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill, and Kearns- 
town. On his return from tlie army he worked 
eighteen months in the quarries, was tlien for a 
time on the farm, and then at Rosena Fur- 
nace for two years, living in New Castle during 
this ])eriod. Since then he lias been living on 
the farm. 

He was married in 1872 near Xew Castle to 



As a soldier he was brave and patriotic, and 
served his country with the same or even greater 
fidelity than he would have attended to his own 
interests at home. As a citizen he sustains all 
the qualities of his earlier manhood, and enjoys 
the respect and esteem of his friends and neigh- 
bors. 



ROBERT C. McCLl'RE, deceased, an e.x- 
sherifF of Mercer County, tliis State, was born in 
Perry township, Lawrence County. March 22. 
iS^q. He was a son of John and Ruth (Axtle) 
AfcClure, the former a native of Perry. Pa., and 
the latter a native of Lake township. 

John McClure was born in Ireland and came 



Elizal)eth Carson, who was born in Allegheny over from the "ould sod" with his mother when 

City, and was a daughter of Alexander and Su- a young man. and settled in the vicinity of 

san (Kirkpatrick) Carson. Alexander Carson Sandy Lake: he was the oldest of the children, 

was a carpenter by trade, and died from the ef- and, as his father was dead, he was to all intents 

fects of wounds received at the battle of Peters- and purposes the head of the family. He turned 

burg; he was a son of Hugh Carson. The fol- his attention to agricultural pursuits and was 

lowing children have graced our subject's mar- thus engaged all the active period of his life. In 



612 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

his political affiliations he was a stanch Repub- in Mercer County, and there his death too'k 

lican but never held office of any description. place in 1890; it was only after the latter sad 

His wife, Ruth, bore him the seven following occurrence that his widow became a resident of 

children: Mary, who married John Hadley of New Castle. 

Perry township; Zenas, who married Elizabeth In i860 our sul)ject married Isabell Pattison 
McQuestan; Loretta, wlio married Josiah Long- of Hadley, Pa., and to them were born five chil- 
of Perry townshi]): Robert C, our subject; dren: David, the eldest, married Emily Luce 
Hannah, who marrietl l)a\id Pattison of Perry of Hul>l)ard, ( )hio, and has two children, Robert 
township: L'fame, who married James A. and Adelia; Margaret; Alexander P., who mar- 
DeFrance of Sandy Lake; and Emily, who lie- ried Nora Douglass of Pittsl)urg, Pa., and has 
came the wife of Lafayette Riggs of H^dibard, had two children, Marg'aret. deceastnl, and 
Ohio. They were Presb\terians in their relig- Helen; Ruth F. ; and Robert, who died aged 
ious belief. The father died in 1863. aged one year. The family are faithful in their ad- 
seventy years, and the mother was taken to the herence to the principles and dogmas of the 
heavenly home in 1882, aged seventy-two years. Presbyterian Church. 
Robert C. McClure, upon the completion of 

an education, accpiired in the district schools ■-■-.^*». 

of his native place, worked on a farm until he 

was twenty-two years of age, when he enlisted DA\'TD .SAMLEL, rleceascd, was bom in 

in Co. G, 145th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf.. Second Cum Haven. Wales, in the month nf May. 1834. 

Corps, under Capt. W . \\ . \\'ood ; he served two and departed this life in New Castle April i<). 

years, received the conmiission of lieutenant for 1805. He had learned the trade of an in.m 

meritorious conduct and sujierior abilities, and |,uddler in the ( )ld Coimtr\, and was engaged 

was discharged because of (lisal)ilities received at that trade in this country until his death. His 

in the service. He tlien carried on farming at second marriage occurred cju Feb. 5, 1884. to 

home until 187-'. wlien in the Xovemher election Mrs. Emily J. Pancake, daughter of Jolui and 

of that year he was chosen sheriff of Mercer AIar\- \V. ((iitti Keefer. 

CViunty. a position he filled with dignity and l-Imily J. Keefer was born in ?\lancliesler, Pa., 

vigor, giving complete satisfaction to all law- and came to New Castle with lier parents wlien 

abiding citizens, Init dealing relentlessly with tlie very young, so that her mental training and ydu- 

members of the criminal classes. His energy cation were in most i)art obtained in the public 

and perseverance made him a valuable meni1)er schools of New Castle. On Dec. 28. 1851, she 

of the connnunity. and he was always ready to w'as married the first time to Peter Pancake, a 

be interested in any movement intended for the native of the eastern part of Pennsylvania. He 

public good. Socially he was an ( )dd J'ellow. was a nailer by tra<le and operated one of tlie 

and also a member of the G. A. R. Post of old-style mills until his death July 2"^, 1877; he 

Greenville, Pa. His life was spent in great jjart was located at Warren, Wheeling, W. \'a., Pitts- 




DR. ROBERT E. REDMOND. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. (ilo 

burg, Pa., and then at Youngstown, Ohio, tunities; wlien his age and advanced state de- 
Four children were the fruit of this marriage, as manded better facihties than the district school, 
follows: Clinton D., who died in infancy; Iva he was sent to Pine Grove Academy of Grove 
\'irginia (now deceased), who was the wife of City, and from there he went to the State Nor- 
Thomas Kessle Fischer, and left him as a mal School at Edinboro, Pa., from which he 
precious heritage two children, Emily and Eliza- graduated as a member of the Class of 1877. 
beth; Cora Estelle, who bore her husband. E. Until 1879, following his graduation, he read 
Davis, two children, an infant who died un- medicine under the direction of the Hon. T. M- 
named, and Bessie; and Amanda Matilda. Martin of Grove City, Pa., and in the fall of that 
Mrs. Samuel's father, John Keefer, died at year became a student in the Miami Medical 
Rock Island, 111., at the age of seventy years. College of Cincinnati, Ohio, and received his 
Her mother, Mary ((iitt) Keefer, was born in degree and diploma, entitling him to practice in 
Eastern Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of 1882. The year previous to his graduation w'as 
Jacob and Mary (Wert) Gitt. Hoth of Mrs. spent as resident physician in the citv hospital 
Samuel's husbands were members of the Disci- of Cincinnati. In the spring of 1882, he located 
pies Church, and both adhered to the principles in Grove City, and practiced medicine there 
as advocated by the Republican ])arty. Mr. three years, removing from that place at the end 
Samuel was a member of the Protected Home of the three years to enter a new field he had 
Circle, and Mr. Pancake was a member of the chosen for himself in the town of Harnnjny, 
Masonic Order, having attained the Royal Arch located in the oil region of P.utler County, where 
degree. Mrs. Samuel is a regular attendant of he continued until 1893. In the fall of 1894, he 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. located in New Castle, bringing with him an 

excellent reputation as a physician well versed 
»»^*». in all the intricacies and details of the difficult 

art, and has since been successfully engaged in 

DR. ROIJERT E. REDMOND, the subject the practice of his profession, enjoying the con- 

of this sketch, is one of New Castle's leading and fidence and good-will of a very desirable class of 

most successful practitioners of medicine, and patrons. 

possesses, in addition to a lucrative office prac- Dr. Redmond is a son of Henry and Elizabeth 
tice, an extensive patronage in the surround- (Drenning) Redmond, both of whom were na- 
ing territory. His birth-place was in N^orth tives of County Antrim. Ireland. Henry Red- 
Liberty, Pa., and in that place were the years mond, a farmer by occupation, came to America 
of his boyhood passed, and the rudiments of a in 1848, and lived in North Liberty township, 
common school education mastered. As a boy Mercer Co., Pa., where ho purchased a large 
he dearly loved study for its own sake and for farm, a very valuable piece of property now in 
the pleasure to be derived from increasing his the possession of his heirs and descendants, al- 
stock of knowledge and improving his opjxir- most half a century, dying in 1896, aged eighty- 



filfi 



BOOK OF BfOCKAP/IIHS, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



eight years. Sagacious and prudent in his deal- 
ings, and exercising excellent judgment in his 
agricultural labors, he attained a higli place in 
the estimation of his neighbors and fellow-citi- 
zens as a prosperous farmer, and was enabled 
by his financial success to provide liberally for 
his children. He early espoused the cause of 
the Democratic party, and ever afterward was 
found among its stanchest and most serviceable 
supporters; however, to Ije known as a plain, 
honest man, and as a good provider for his fam- 
ily, was the height of his ambition, and it was 
for this reason that he never filled an office nor 
posed as a candidate for election, although his 
great popularity might have warranted him in 
so doing. His wife, who was named Elizabeth 
Drenning, made him the proud father of 'eight 
children. Mary A., the eldest, lives at home 
with her aged mother. Samuel is a leading 
attorney of Mercer Co.. Pa.; he married Grace 
Newell of Punxsutawney, Pa., and has four 
children: Newell; Henry; Mary; and an infant. 
Elizabeth married John Smith, and resides in 
Mercer County oh the old homestead. John 
married Julia ^Icl'.ride, by whom he has two 
children, and lives in I'ittsburg, Pa. Jemima 
married the Rev. Hazlett, a Presbvterian minis- 
ter of Rutler Co., Pa.: Ihc)- have two children. 
William A. married Christie Reigel of (Irove 
City, Pa. Henry married Jennie P>lack of drove 
City, Pa., and their union has been blessed with 
one child; Plenry Redmond is a surgeon dentist 
of New Castle, Pa. ( )ur subject's father died in 
1896, leaving a widow, and the aforementioned 
family. They were L'nitcd Presbyterians in 
I heir religious Ijclicf. 

Dr. Redmond, in ],S8j, led to the altar Marv 



Rolston of Prospect, Butler Co., Pa., and by 
this union there was born to him one daugh- 
ter, Jessie j\1., born Oct. 27, 1883. Our subject's 
wife died June 17, i89_3, and on Jul\- 10, 1894, 
he entered into a second matrimonial miion 
with Laura F. Gill of Jackson Center, Mercer 
Co., Pa. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F., 
and F. & A. W. Lodge of Middle Lancaster, Pa. 
He retains a membership in the organization of 
l'"ree Masons of Harmony, T'a., and in the Royal 
.'\rcamnn of tiie same town, and is a meudier 
of the Knights of Pythias of Grove City, Pa. 
Religiously, he is a member in good and regu- 
lar .standing of the luiglish Lutheran Church of 
Harmony, Pa. After Dr. Retlmond had been 
engaged in practice a numl)er of years, he took 
a post-graduate C(.)urse at the Jefferson Medical 
College of Philadelphia, Pa., to better fit him- 
self to cope with the many problems that present 
themselves to a physician. 

The readers of this volume will view with in- 
terest the portrait that appears in proximity to 
this sketch of the genial doctor, whose station 
among the most prominent physicians of the 
county entitles him to the highest esteem and 
respect. 



SAMUEL M. KENNEDY, .one of the rep- 
resentative farmers of Shenango township, was 
born in Slippery Rock township, Jan. I, 1824, 
coming" of goood Scotch-Irish ancestry, that 
sturdy class of citizens that has comtributed 
so much to the development and emMchment of 
Western Pennsylvania. His parents were Will- 
iam and Elizal)eth (Stickle) Kennedv. Our suli- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 617 

ject's mother was horn in Slippery RcKk town- Indian troubles on tlie liorder, and was on duty 

ship in 1800, and died at the age of eighty-six; there some two months, receiving his discharge 

She was a daughter of Samuel and Katherinc in the month of August, 1865. On his return 

Stickle, the former a farmer, who lived to a good from the army he worked at his trade some 

old age. seven years in Slippery Rock township, as be- 

William Kennedy was born in Eastern Penn- fore mentioned, and has since interested himself 
sylvania about the year 1800, and attained the in farming, living the most of the past twenty- 
age of seventy-seven years; he came to Law- five years in Shenango township. 
rence County with his parents when two years He was first married in November, 1854, to 
old, and lived the remainder of his life in Slip- Lizzie Jane McMasters. daughter of William 
pery Rock township, where he engaged success- and Annie McMasters. and of this union two 
fully and with profit in agricultural pursuits. children resulted— William II., who is living with 

Our subject attended school till the age of his father, and Mary Louise, the wife of Sol. 
nineteen years, and lived with his parents until Wimor. His second marriage took place m 
he had attained his majority, when he went to October, 1859, the bride being Sarali A. War- 
Allegheny County, where he worked on a farm nock, daughter of Hugh and Llizabeth (Man- 
for one year. At McKeesport he learned the ning") Warnock. and a member of one of the old- 
carpenter's trade, and worked at it for three est-established families in the county. The 
years. He then returned to Slippery Rock father of Elizabeth Manning sencd seven years 
township, and worked at his trade in connection in the Revolutionary War. and lived to attain the 
with farming for some six or seven years, since very unusual age of one hundred and fourteen 
which time he has devoted his entire time and years, a fact that is on record and as authentic 
attention to agriculture and its varied pursuits, as one could wish. Six children, whose names 
At the outbreak of the war, before enlisting, he are given below, were the fruit of the second 
purchased a ten-acre tract with a cottage on it, marriage: Jesse I!., who is living with his 
and put it in order for his family, in order that father; John H.. who is enga,ged in the coal bus- 
tliev might have a comfortable home when he iness in New Castle; Thomas, who owns and 
was awav to the war, fighting for his countni, and operates a saw-mill and thresher; Hugh, who 
with a slender chance of seeing the loved ones makes his home with his father; Mamie Eliza- 
again. He enlisted Feb. 22, 1864, in Co. B, 14th beth, who is attending school: and Robert 
Reg. Pa. Vol. Cav., and was engaged m the bat- Stockman, who is in the employ of the Tele- 
ties of Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, phone Company. The family are members of 
Swickle's Gap, and was in Sheridan's command the M. E. Church. In politics Mr. Kennedy is 
when the cavalry made the famous raid of the a Republican. In the sunset of life he is enjoy- 
beautiful Shenandoah \'alley. Hostilities hav- ing the fruits of his early labors at the home 
ing ceased at the South, he was sent with other which he I'.as established by the work of his own 
soldiers to Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., to quell the hands and a life of unremitting industry. That 



618 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE 'COUNTY. 



he stands well in the coniiminity as a man of the remainder of his years in agricultural pur- 
strict integrity and good judgment is evident suits. d\ ing in 1875, aged sixty-seven years. He 
from the fact that he has at different times been reared ten children as follows: Jerome, who 
called upon to till the offices of constable and married .Sarah Henderson of Washington Co., 
collector, serving four years in that capacity, and I'a. : Harriet, the wife of Thomas C. Taylor of 
of supervisor, an office he satisfactorily filled for Little I'.eaver township; Joseph, who married 
a period of three years. He has also been a Mary ^IcClure of I'.eaver Co.. Pa.; Mary, who 



member of the election board a number of times. 
As an old soldier he has for years taken an active 
interest in C. A. R. affairs, and is a member of 
the Fost. No. 318, at Wampum, this county. 



became the wife of S. D. Eckles of Big Beaver 
township; John; Rhoda, who married R. W^. Mc- 
Chesney of Big Beaver township: Andrew J., 
who married Elizabeth .Sn_\(.ler of Wampum; 
Thomas J., who married Nancy Leet of Wam- 
pum; William, the subject of this sketch; and 
Sarah J., who became the wife of Levi Repman 
of Wampum. He was a prominent and influen- 
tial politician of the township, and as a Demo- 
crat served as collector, road supervisor and as 
school director. He was an attendant of the 
Presbyterian Church. ( )ur subject's mother 
died in 1864, aged fifty-seven years. 

William Douthitt obtained the elementarv 



WILLIAM DOUTHITT. e.x-sherift- uf Law- 
rence Co., Pa., was born in Big Beaver town- 
ship xA.ug. 16, 185^, and is a son of Jonathan and 
Sarah (Cannon) Doutliitt. 

The grandfather of our subject, Robert 
Douthitt, was born in Carlisle, Pa., but later 

settled in Reaver Co.. Pa., where he achieved principles of an education in the district schools 

prominence as a very successful and prosperous of Big Beaver township, and upon leaving 

farmer. Politically, he was a Democrat. His school turned his attention to agricultural jnir- 

wife, a Miss Mary Loutzenviser. bore him twelve suits, which he followed with excellent results 

children, of whom Jonathan, our subject's until 1890, being also interested in the Wam- 

father, was among the youngest. In the mat- pum Run Coal Co., and is now heavily interested 

ter of religious preferences he favored the Pres- in the Thompson Run Coal Co. in Beaver Co., 

byterian Church. Pa. He has always been found in Republican 

Jonathan Douthitt was educated in the schools [Hjlitical circles, and in reward for his constancy 

of his native town, and when a young man to party and in recognition of his many estima- 

learned the stone-cutter's trade, which he fol- ble qualities, he was elected sheriff of Lawrence 

lowed to good advantage a nuiuber of years; County, taking his office in January, 1892, ami 

later on he purchased a farm in I'.ig Beaver holding office three years to the complete .satis- 

townsihip, and moved into what is now Lawrence faction of citizens of all parties. He has also 

County in 1848, although at that time it was a held the office of collector and constable for four 

[)art of Beaver Countv; in that district he spent vears. After filliuQ- out bis term as sheriff he 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



(!19 



engaged in tlic coal business mentioned above, 
and devotes a large share of his time to his min- 
ing interests. Socially, he is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias, ^\'estern Star Lodge, Xo. 
1 60, of New Castle, Pa. 

In 1875 Mr. Douthitt chose as a life-partner 
Emma Bell \'ance, daughter of R. M. and Caro- 
line S. \'ance, of l!ig Tieaver township, and to 
them have been born seven children, as fol- 
lows: Frank H., who works for the Standard 
Oil Co. at Rayonne, N. J.; Harriet, who is at- 
tending high school ; Robert Roy, who is attend- 
ing school; Sarah C, also a pupil of New Cas- 
tle's public schools: Samuel; and two that died 
in infancy. In religious matters, the family fa- 
vors the Presbyterian Church, of whicli Mrs. 
Douthitt is a member. 



MICHAIiL KXUBLOCH is a respected cit- 
izen of the city of New Castle, and a prominent 
wholesale and retail dealer in hides, pelts, furs, 
and tallow. His birth took place April 24, 
1832, in the State of Prussia, German Empire, 
and he is a son of .Vdam Knobloch, a citizen of 
that country. 

At the age of seventeen years our subject left 
the ancestral home to seek his fortune in the 
young Repul)lic across the seas, and after arriv- 
ing in tlie L'nited States came to New Castle, 
wliere lie secured employment in the nail mills, 
and in the next ten or twelve years worked in 
all the ])rincipal mills in Pennsyh^ania, Ohio, and 
Virginia. In 1861 he became a resident of the 
State of Michigan, where he engaged in tilling 



the soil for two years. In 1863 he moved to 
Youngstown. ( )liio, where he engaged in the 
manufacture of nails as a feeder. He then came 
to New Castle and engaged in the butcher busi- 
ness until 1870. That year marks his initial 
step in his present prosperous and extensive 
business; he purchased the fur and leather busi- 
nes of Henry Diedmor, who succeeded Isaac 
Dickson, who was one of the pioneers in the 
leather and taiuiing industry of New Castle. 
From a humble beginning he has managed, by 
economy and well-spent energy, to raise himself 
to a station where he commands the deep respect 
of all who have tlie pleasure of his acquaint- 
ance, either from a purely business or social 
standpoint. .'Kmong the best of our American 
citizens we include thcjusands of the sons of the 
Fatlierland. who are an example by their indus- 
trious lives to all classes of native-l)orn citizens. 
When he came to New Castle first, soon after 
arriving in this country, it was Aug. 5, 1849, ''^ 
travelled with his brother from Youngstown, 
Ohio, by the way of Mahoningtown to the me- 
tropolis of Lawrence County, crossing the river 
at County Line Street on the wooden-covered 
bridge, then spanning the Shenango River at 
that point. He had scarcely enough money to 
buy food to appease his hunger, but there being 
no lazy bones in his body and upheld by a great 
desire to make his way in the world of business, 
he succeeded in years of toil in accumulating 
enough to launch him in his present profitable 
venture. He lias proven himself to Ijc a man of 
more than ordinary business ability, and as one 
who will surely be successful wherever his lot 
in life may be cast. He casts his ballot uni- 
formly in support of the Democratic party, but 



620 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

having exercised his riglit of manhood suffrage right to a tract of land on Raccoon Creek, 

there his interest in politics ceases. Washington County. He put in crops on the 

In 1857 Mr. Knobloch was joined in marriage land the same year, but did not bring his family 

to Amelia Baker, daughter of Christian Baker, until the spring of 1777. That year and the 

a native of (jcTmany. but later a resident of New year following were ones of terror on account of 

Castle, Pa. They have reared to noble manhood depredations by the Indians. Many of his 

and womanhood the following children: Caro- friends and neighbors were murdered or carried 

lina; Margaret; Wilhelm, who married Agnes away captive. The settlers erected block-houses 

Kildoo of Slippery Rock township, and has three for protection, and worked their fields with their 

clu'ldren, (Jlivc, (iertrude, and Hazel; Harr\-; and guns close at hand in case of an attack. 

Edward, who married Lydia L'llrich, and resiiles In the spring of 1796 he settled on the land 

in Ilazleton, Pa. They have one child, Eliza- in what is now Mahoning township, Lawrence 

beth, as a fruit of the union. Mrs Knobloch County. He held warrants from the State for 

died January 9, 1896. ( )ur subject and his fani- the land on which lie isettled. A company 

ily are German Lutherans in their religious at- called the Population Company claimed the same 

tachments. land and sold it to other settlers. This was the 

cause of much trouble and many lawsuits, each 

settler firmly believing himself to be in the right. 

The trouble was finally settled by a compromise. 

Alexander Wright was appointed justice of 

JOSEPH WlvlCHT, of .Mahoning townshij), the peace in 1791, receiving his commission from 

Lawrence Co., Pennsylvania, was Ijorn Decem- (jovernor Thomas Mifflin. He served as asso- 

ber 2~, 1826, on the farm he now owns and ciate judge for Mercer County from the time it 

which has always been his home. was organized until he resigned on account of 

He is a grandson of Alexander Wright, the old age in 1829. 

founder of the family in this country. Alexander He helped organize the Presbyterian Church 

Wright was born in the parish of Donnyclony, of Hopewell about the year 1800, and served as 

Coimty of Down, Ireland, January i, 1746. He a ruling elder until his death. He died May 

married Esther Silcox, who was born the same 25, 1838. His wife died June 17, 1812. She 

day of the same year as her husband. They was a woman of unusual strength of character, 

emigrated to America in the spring of 1771. a devoted wife and mother, and an earnest 

The first year in America was spent near Phil- Christian woman. Their children were: Elea- 

adelphia, where he worked at his trade, that of nor; Alexander; James ; Dorothy; and Betsey. 

a weaver. Eleanor married Rev. Robert Johnson. Doro- 

In the spring of 1772 he rented a farm in Kish- thy married John McConnell. Betsey married 

acoquilles Valley, where he lived until the spring William Porter. James was a minister in the 

of 1776, when he purchased an improvement Presbyterian Church. He died March 30, 1843. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 621 

Alexander Wright, Jr., was born April 15, to the old home. He married Marcia M., 

1772. At the death of his father he succeeded daughter of James and Pamelia Beggs of Coits- 

to the homestead. He built a new house and ville, Ohio. Their children are: Ella; Anna 

devoted his time to farming. He married Mar- (who married dcorge ( '•. Erskine of Mahoning 

garet Porter, who was born Dec. 25, 1782, and township; Margaret; Arthur; and Pamelia M. 

died Nov. 13, 1806. She left one child, Marga- The grandchildren of Joseph Wright, who were 

ret, born Nov. 10, 1806, who married David born to his <laughter, Aiuia (Wright) Erskine, 

Johnston. His second wife was Margaret P.ev- are— Paul, Arthur W., Marcia K., Ralph J., 

ingtdu, who died Oct. 3, 1818. The children of George G., and Dorothy M. 
this union were; John P., born l'\'b. 27, 1810, 

died October, i860; Ruth, born July 23, 1811, ■*••*■- — 

married William niillips, died Xovcmber, 1887; 

James, born Feb. 27, 1813, died Oct. 5, 1833; DR. GllARPl-.S .\. REED. We have the 

Eliza, born I-'eb. 12, 181 5, died September, 1816; pleasure to present to our readers the biography 

Alexander, 3d, born Sept. 25, 1817, died June of one of New Castle's foremost physicians, 

3, 1894. His third wife was Margaret Voung, whose excellent reputation for professional 

who was born Aug. 12, 1792, and died May 4. honor and skill has been acquired through a 

1833, leaving six children; Samuel P., born Nov. general practice in New Castle, extending from 

12, 1820, died July 12, 1897; Elizabeth, born July, 1886, until the present time. Dr. Reed 

Jan. II, 1823, married James McConneli; Will- possesses tiiat peculiar insight into the hidden 

iam, born Nov. 25. 1824, died 1835; Joseph K., causes of various forms of disease which will ever 

born Dec. 27, 1826; Robert S., born Jan. 2, be the greatest recommendation of a successful 

1829, died 1835; Isaac P., born Dec. 19, 1831. physician. A case once definitely diagnosed 

Alexander Wright's fourth wife was Elizabeth loses much of the dread that surrounds it, and 

Cunningham, who was born March 19, 1797, and the mistakes that are occasionally made by even 

died April 10, 1870. the best of practitioners result invariably from 

Alexander, or Squire Wright, as he was com- an incorrect diagnosis. Dr. Reed was born in 

inonly known, was appointed justice of the peace Shenango township Sept. 18, 1858, and received 

in 1814, receiving his commission from Jacob his early education in the district schools of his 

Snyder, Governor of the State. He served un- immediate neighborhood and in the high school 

til the revision of the constitution in 1838, when of New Castle. After completing an academic 

his son John P. was elected to till his place. education at the State Normal School of Ediu- 

Alexander W'right was an earnest Abolitionist, hero. Pa., he read medicine for a while, and 
and for years his home was a station on the Un- eventually, in 1882, entered Miami Medical Col- 
derground Railroad. He was also identifiexl with lege of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which institution 
the earlier temperance movements. He died he graduated in 1885. His preceptors and ad- 
July 31, 1853. H'S son, Joseph K.. succeeded visors in medical studies were Dr. Joseph Reed 



622 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

of Sharon, Pa., and Dr. J. J. Wallace of New non, a native of Alahoningtown, this county, and 
Castle. Dr. Reed also took a one-year's course this union resulted in the following children: 
in the Western Pennsylvania Hospital of Pitts- John C, the father of Dr. Charles A. Reed; Mar- 
burg, Pa., where he was a resident physician, garet; Henderson: Jane; William ; Elizabeth; and 
In lulv, 1886, he took up his residence in New Mary. In religious belief they were United 
Castle, and now has all he can do to attend to Presbyterians. William Reed died about the 
his constantly increasing practice. year 1842. aged forty-five years. 

Our subject is a son of J. C and Phoebe A. John C. Reed was educated in the district 
(Iddings) Reed, both of whom were natives of schools of Shenango township, and after the 
Shenango township, Lawrence Co., Pa. Joseph completion of such an education, turned his at- 
Iddings, <.»ur subject's grandfather on his ma- tention to agricultural pursuits. Nearly his en- 
ternal side, was a native of Chester Co., Pa.; tire life was spent on the farm where his life 
when a young man he went to sea, and when he began. Industrious and progressive in all his 
returned home after a three-years' absence he labors, he found it a comparative easy matter to 
became a student of a college in Pennsylvania, accumulate a comfortable amount of property, 
from which he graduated. He spent the re- and was considered a very prosperous man. Po- 
mainder of his- life in agricultural pursuits and litically, he was a stanch Whig, and later on, 
educational work. He married Hannah Hoopes, when the Republican party was organized with 
a native of Chester Countv, and they removed many Whig principles incorporated in it, he 
to Lawrence Countv in 1820. The\- were Ouak- joined the ranks of the younger and more vigor- 
res in religious belief. Their children were; ous party. He took an active and intelligent 
Marv, who is eighty-four years old; Mirabel, interest in pcjlitics. In 1851 he married Phoebe 
deceased; Hannah, wlro niarried Martin Reno, A. Iddings, and this union resulted in ten chil- 
deceased. of Shenango township. Lawrence dren, as follows: William E.. who married 
Countv; Sarah, who married Hugh A. McKee; Ehza Keller of Shenango township, b}- whom 
Elizabeth, deceased, who married James Leon- he had three children, Lillian, Wesley, and one 
ard of Lawrence County, and now of Michigan; that died in infancy; Hannah, deceased; Joseph 
Ann, deceased; Lavina, who married James H., a physician of Sharon, Pa., married Kate 
Davis of Lawrence County; and Phoebe .\.. our Bowman of New Castle. Pa., and they have one 
subject's mother. W'illiam Reed, the paternal child, Helen; Charles A., our sul)ject; Aima 
grandfather of Dr. Reed, was a native of Penn- and Mary, deceased; Sarah J., who married 
sylvania; he was a millwright by trade and by Harry W'rig'ht and lx>re him two children, I\Iary 
the means of that calling and by farming he and Charles; Levinah, wlio married Hem-y 
managed well to secure a livelihood, raise a Weinschenk of .Shenango townshii>, and their 
gootUy number of children, providing liberally marriage has been blessed with one child, Mar- 
for them, and to put himself beyond the grasp garet: John W., deceased: and Luther M., who 
of want in his old age. He married Ann Can- married Elizabeth McMillin, and has two chil- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



623 



dren, Norma and Xettie. In religious mat- 
ters they favored the M. E. Church. (Jur sub- 
ject's father died in January, 1895, aged sixty- 
nine years, but the mother still survives at the 
age of sixty-seven years. 

Dr. Charles A. Reed was joined in marriage 
Oct. 14, 1891, to Margaret E. Gaston, daughter 
of Philo and Mary Gaston, of Xew Castle, Pa., 
both now deceased; Elizabeth G., their only 
child, was born Oct. 8, 1895. Mrs. Reed is a 
member of the M. E. Church. Dr. Reed is a 
Republican in politics, but allows no organiza- 
tion to dictate to him how he shall vote at the 
polls, but casts his vote for the man whom he 
thinks best suited for the place. Although no 
office-seeker, he held the office of city physician 
two years, being elected on his own merits. So- 
cially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, 
New Castle Lodge, No. 404, in which society 
he lias been past chancellor and trustee since 
1893. He is also a member of Shenango Lodge, 
L O. O. E. 



JOHK A. S.MITII. M. I)., a prominent physi- 
cian of New Castle. Pa., was born in Pulaski 
township, this county, Jan. 2, 1856, and is a son 
of Sanniel and Mary (Montgomery) Smith. 

Our subject's grandfather, William Smith, 
was a native of County Derry. Ireland, and was 
a scion of a family in whose veins flowed Scotch 
blood. He came to America about the year 
1786, and settled in Big Eork. Westmoreland 
Co., Pa., where he took up farming; eventually 
he settled in New Bedford, Pa., where he en- 
gaged in pursuits of a general agricultural nature 



tiie remainder of his active period. His wife. 
Rosanna, made him the proud parent of six chil- 
dren, who were named: Elizabeth (Davidson); 
Margaret (Carnahan); Samuel; John; James; 
and Hezekiah. Our subject's grandparents 
were reared as members of the religious sect of 
Seceders, but after coming to this country and 
becoming associated with many of their fellow- 
countrymen, they joined the I'nited Presbyter- 
ian Church, which was a development of the 
original sect. 

Samuel Smith was educated in the common 
schools of his native town, and upon tlie com- 
pletion of his education turned his attention to 
agricultural pursuits, and was thus engaged un- 
til his retirement from active work, during this 
time accumulating considerable- property and 
providing liberally for his children. He gave 
his political allegiance to the Republican party. 
He was a popular man. and prominent among 
his fellow-townsmen, deserving well of their re- 
spect for him, for his life was spent in a simple, 
unostentatious manner, as one of nature's no- 
blemen. His modesty and retiring character 
prohibited him from seeking political elevation 
of whatever nature. His wife, Mary, was born 
in Ireland, near Dublin, and was a daughter of 
James and Elizabeth Montgomery, both natives 
of Ireland; seven children were born to our sub- 
ject's parents. Rosanna, the eldest, married 
John DufT of Aledo, 111. Elizabeth, the next 
in order of birth, married Henderson (i. Sharp, 
of New Wilmington, Pa., and I)ore him six chil- 
dren; Nettie; Jesse; Rutherford L. : Rufus; 
Smith; and Elmer. William, M. D., married 
Emma J. McCreary of New Wilmington, Pa., 
and has three children, Genevieve, Samuel, an<l 



624 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



Gula. Joliii A., the next child, is the subject of htically, and as a successful candidate on that 

this personal history. Samuel S. married Eva party's county ticket held the office of coroner 

McEwen of New Castle, this county, and has three years. He is a member of the Lawrence 

one child. Careltun. Nancy J. married Elmer County Medical Society. 

Black of Grove City, Mercer Co., Pa., and has In 1885 he was joined in marriage with Mary 

two children, Edward and Clififord. Frank, the J. McKee, daughter of Charles and Margaret 

youngest member of the family, is unmarried, McKee of New Castle, Pa., and to Dr. and Mrs. 

and lives in Grove City. The family were Smitli has been given one child. Hazel A., born 

I'nited Presbyterians in their religious belief. Sept. 17, 1887. In religious matters he follows 

(_)ur subject's mother was taken to the "land i)f the example of liis parents and unites with the 



pure delight" JMarch 13. 1872, antl she was fol- 
lowed by her husband on April 281I1 <if the same 
year. 

Having received a rudinu-ntary cducalinn in 
the conmion schools of his native place Dr. 
.Smith attended and graduated from the State 
Normal School of Youngstown, (_)hio; he also 
received a diploma from the college at New \\'ib 
mington. Pa. After a year's study under the 
direction of Dr. Silas Stevenson, now of I'lll- 
wood City, Pa., he entered the Medical Depart- 
ment of Hudson College of Cleveland, Ohio, and 
graduated from that institution in 1881, among 
the first in his class. While a student in Hud- 
son College, his preceptor was Dr. Proctor 



I'nitc 



I 'rt-sb\terian Church. 



DR. Jl'ISSE R. C( )( )PI-:R. a prominent mem- 
ber of the medical profession of New Castle, 
Lawrence County, was born in Butler County, 
near Grant City, this State, Sept. 24. 1872. 
His education was commenced in the common 
schools of (irant City, Pa., and continued in the 
Slippery Rock State Normal School of Slippery 
Rock. Pa., and Grove City College, Mercer Co., 
Pa. Then wishing to adapt himself for work 
in business fields he attended Dufif's Business 
Thayer. He then opened up an office for the College at Pittsburg, from which he graduated 
practice of his profession at East Brook, Pa., in 1889, after which he taught a short time in 
where he remained four years. On account of the same college. He pursued his medical 



ill health lu' gave up his practice tliere and went 
to Ashland, (}hio, where he lived until 1886. In 
that year he returned to Pennsylvania and lo- 
cated in New" Castle, where he has liuilt up a 
large and flourishing practice, most commend- 
able to his enterprise and professional skill. His 
practice is not confined to his immediate vicin- 



studies in the Medical Department of the West- 
ern I'niversity of Pennsylvania, and graduated 
with the highest; of honors in 1894. His.first field 
of practice was in New Castle, where he has been 
successfully engaged in medical practice since 
1894: as a physician he is well and favorably 
known throughout a very large circle of patrons. 



ity, but is general, and extends over a great part a reputation which he has won by an energy, de- 
of Lawrence County. He is a Republican po- tt-rmination and skill that have secured for him 



BOOK Ul- BlOGRAl'/IfES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



fi25 



an extensive field of practice and have fairly 
given him a leading place among the practition- 
ers of his profession. 

Socially, he is a Mason, belonging to Mahon- 
ing Lxxlge Xo. 243. of Xew Castle, Pa.; he is 
also a member of Lodge Xo. 909, I. O. O. F., of 
Portersvillc, Pa. His religious sympathies link 
him to the Baptist Church. Although a Demo- 
crat on general princii)les, he is no slave to party 
lines, but supports the candidates whom he 
thinks arc best qualified to fill the offices; es- 
pecially is this true in local elections. 
. Dr. Cooper i« a son of Robert and Elizabeth 
(Pence) Cooper, the former a native of P>utlcr 
County, and the latter a native of Lawrence 
County. Our subject's grandfather. Thomas 
Cooper, was a native of Ireland and came to 
America when a young man. settling two miles 
east of Grant City. Pa., where he bought a tract 
of uncultivated land, and was engaged the re- 
mainder of his years in clearing and cultivating 
it, wresting a comfortable livelihood from the 
virgin soil. He married Phoebe Dean, who 
bore him seven children: Jacob: Jesse D. : Mar- 
shall, who was killed in the L"nited States ser- 
vice in the late war; Harvey: Robert: Marv E. ; 
and Polly. They were stanch supporters of the 
Baptist Church. 

Robert Cooper, the youngest son of Thomas, 
was educated in the school of Grant City, and 
upon attaining manhood's estate turned his at- 
tention to agricultural pursuits, following tlie 
life of a farmer until his death in 1878. He was 
uniformly successful in his labors, and was es- 
teemed a valued member of the community. 
Politically he was a firm Democrat, but as his 
taste did not run to the holding of offices nor 



to active political life, he did not permit his name 
to be placed in nomination as an aspirant for 
honors. His wife, Elizabeth, was a daughter 
of James Pence, a native of Scotland; to our 
subject's parents were born four children: Mar- 
tha J.: James Mc; Phoebe; and our subject, Dr. 
Jesse R. The eldest daughter married \\'ill- 
iani English of Portersvillc. Pa., and bore him 
four children: Robert P.., Maggie J., Franklin 
B., and Ira. James Mc marrie<l Anna Davis of 
Jacksville, Butler Co.. Pa.; their union was 
blessed with four children, namely: Frank, Por- 
ter, Harry, and an infant. Phoebe married \V. 
P. Book of Harlansburg. Pa.: three children 
were born to them: Howard, deceased, Jessie, 
and George. Both of our subject's parents 
were Baptists. Mrs. Cooper died in 1894, agetl 
sixty-six years; her husband was forty-seven 
vears at his deatli. 



DR. THr)MAS J. BLACKWOOD, a leading 
physician and surgeon of Xew Castle, Pa., who 
has been prominently identified with the medical 
circles of that city as a regular practitioner for 
the past quarter of a century, was born in this 
county, in Slippery Rock township. Jan. 13. 
18+4. 

Dr. Blackwood's father, Rev. James Black- 
wood, was Irish by birth: he was a minister of 
tile Reformed Presbyterian Church, and was a 
graduate of the Glasgow L'niversity. He fol- 
lowed his profession as long as his years would 
permit, and his last years as a minister of the 
gospel were spent as a pastor in Xew Castle. 



(126 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Some among the older residents of New Castle of one child, Arthur B.; Alargaret, who grad- 
and the surrounding country will remember him uated in the class of 1897 frt)m the State Nomial 
to the last of their days as an earnest and forci- at West Chester, with average scholarship of 9"; 
ble speaker, with a convincing power that and James M.. who is at present attending col- 
brought the truth home to many a wavering lege at Beaver Falls. Pa. Jemima C. is at ])res- 
one, and saved them for usefulness for the Mas- ent matron' of the Elmira Home of New Castle, 
ter and His Kingdom. He married Jemima Pa. — a home for the aged. Dr. Blackwood and 
Calderwood. a native of Ireland, and to them his family are in their religious views Reformed 
were given eight children, as follows: ^lartha Presbyterians, and support the church of that 
E. : Isabella C. : Thomas J., our subject: Will- denomination in New Castle, 
iam : James, deceased: Jane: Robert: Andrew, 
and Jemima. * ■ ^ ■ 

Dr. Blackwood seceured an elementarv edu- 
cation in the schools of drove City. Pa., and JOHN \ . TR.\^'ERS. a prominent coal 
later attended Beaver Academy of Beaver Falls, dealer of New Castle. Pa., was born Oct. 13. 
Pa. ; when he had completed the course of studies 1858. and is a son of ]o\\\\ and Ann (Mooney) 
prescribed at that institution, he took a medical Travers. both natives of Ireland, the former's 
course at the Tef?erson ^ledical College at Phil- birth|:>Iace being Dublin, and the latter"s being 
adelphia. from which institution he graduated in in tlie countv of Mavo. Our subject's father 
1866. He also further perfected himself with a remained in Ireland until after his marriage in 
post-graduate course at the Polyclinic Insti- 1854. and after coming to this country became 
tute of New York City in 1883. His first field a citizen of the State of Pennsylvania, settling 
of practice was in Butler Co.. Pa.: in 1873 he in Pottsviile, where he engaged in coal mining, 
located in New Castle, where he has built u]i a and remained there until 1858. when he uKjved 
large and lucrative ])ractice. which amplv re- to Youngstown. Ohio, thence to Minersville, 
wards him for his painstaking efTorts. His of- Pa., thence to Kittanning. later to Freeport; 
fice practice demands the greater portion of the from there lie moved to Parker's Landing, thence 
time, wliich is devoted to his profession. to Pardo. where he made his home until 1872. 

In 1866 he exchanged mutual vows of fidelitv when he once more changed his location, this 

and love with Sarah M. Magee. who accordinglv time coming to New Castle. In this city he 

became his wife and trusted hel])meet: she was engaged in coal mining and also operated a mine 

a daughter of James Magee of Butler Co.. Pa. on his own account, becoming well-known 

The union of our subject and wife has been throughout the county as a successful, prosper- 

ceniented with the birth of four children, as fol- ous man. He was a stanch Democrat, and 

lows: !Mary J., who married lames .\rmstrong. served his country through his devotion to party 

and has one cliild. Thomas L. : leminia C. who in a sim]-ile. unostentatious way. never desiring 

married Arthur Foster, and became the mother or caring to advance his name as a candidate 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. fl27 

for party favors. His death occurred (Jcl. 4. He was joined in wedlock with Margaret 

1887. The following children were reared by Flynn of I'arkstown, Pa., and by this union 

Mr. Travers and his wife: Mary: Ellen; John tlirce children became his — Mary, \incent, and 

\'.: Stephen; Annie; Catherine; Patrick S.; Mar- John, deceased. The mother died April 29. 

garet; and Elizabeth. Mary married Ci. I-. 1885, aged thirty years, and in 1890 Mr. Travers 

Griffith of Xew Castle, and lias presented . him again was juincd in marriage to Ellen Hannon. 

with these children: Annie, (iertrude. Leo, Ste- daughter of James Hannon of .\'cw Castle, and 

phen, John, Lottie, Irene, and Mary. Ste])hen this union has been prolific of five children, 

married Tessie Clark .of Xew Castle, who bore John, Helen, Joseph, James, and John, the sec- 

him two children, John and Herbert. Annie ond. ^[r. Travers is a loyal member of the 

married Constant Truhel of Xew Castle, and Catholic Church, and socially he belongs to the 

their children are: Asa, Annie, Harry, Lizzie, and organization of Catholic Knights of America, 

Grace. Catherine married James 1". Rodgers of P.ranch 555, of Xew Castle. Mr. Travers is an 

Xew Castle, and is the mother of five children, unyielding Democrat, and active in local politi- 

John, Catherine, X'eronica, Annie, and Mary, cal matters, having served on the Democratic 

Patrick S. married Mary Moore of Xew Castle, County Committee, but he has no great desire 

and they have the following children: Ellen, to distinguish himself as a public officer. 
Anna, John, Raymond, and Mary. Margaret 

became the wife of James Disken of Youngs- . ^.^.^ _ 

town, Ohio. Elizabeth married C. J. W'alzer of 

Xew Castle. WILIJAM P.LAXCHARD, deceased, who 
(Jur subject having secured an education, for during a large portion of his life was identified 
which he is indebted to the schools of Freeport, with the manufacturing interests of Fallston, 
Pa., commenced to work as a coal miner at the Pa., as a maker of edge tools, and spending the 
age of twelve years, and continued in that line latter part of his life as an a.griculturist of Tay- 
of work until he was twenty-two years of age, lor township, Lawrence Countw was born in 
when he, in company with his father, bought a the State of ^^assachusetts in the year 1797, and 
coal mine, and operated it under the firm name departed this life in i889,being then in his ninety- 
of Travers & Son until 1880, when our subject third year. He was a son of James and Eliza- 
came to Xew Castle, of which city he has been a beth (Howe) Blanchard, both of whom were na- 
resident ever since. Since 1889 he has dealt in tives of the Bay State. James Blanchard wa.s 
both iiard and soft coal, coke and blacksmith's a i)roniinent farmer of the town of which he was 
slack. He has also handled a small line of sta- a citizen. They were Congregationalists in 
pie groceries. Strict business principles control their religious belief; their children numbered 
his actions, and so well-known is his reputation nine in all, as fallows: William, our subject, 
for honorable, gentlemanly dealings that his in- Catherine; Sanford: Eliza; Liberty; Harriet: 
tegrity is never questioned. Harvey: and two that died in infancv. 



r,2S 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



After ijl)taining an education in the scliools 
of his native place ]\Ir. Blanchard learned the 
tool maker's trade, and until late in life was en- 
gaged in manufacturing, being located in I*"alls- 
ton a large part of the time. Arriving at the 
vears when men long for rural life. Mr. Pdanch- 
ard purchased a farm in Taylor township, Law- 
rence County, and spent the sunset of life in 
calm and retirement. He was a very active 
man, could not lie induced to cease entirely 
from work even in his last years, and took a 
hearty interest in all public affairs. Tn his po- 
litical afifiliations he was a firm Republican, but 
did not have time to seek political honors. 

Mr. Blanchard was twice married. Ilis firsl 
wife was Jane Simison of \\'aterford. r)hio. His 
second wife was Mary Simpson, a daughter of 
John and Eliza (Sample) Simpson of Pittsburg, 
Pa. By this second union there were born 
three children, two of whom now survive. Eliz- 
abeth, born Jan. 8. 1862, married S. S. C. Mc- 
Grew of Canton, Dhio, and to them were given 
six children: \\'illiam B.; Carl; I-"red: Samuel 
S. C. ; Mary E.; and Katherine. Harriet Y .. the 
other surviving child, lives at home. The familv 
are Presbyterians in their religious belief. 



DP. MARK F. TONER, who is engaged in 
building up a splendid practice as a skillful phys- 
ician and surgeon in the city of New Ca.stle, 
where he has been located since 18(^3, is a na- 
tive of Pennsylvani;i, being ushered into this 
world Aug. 2\, 1867, in Westmoreland County. 
He is a son of Tames and Ann (Burgoon) To- 



ner, the former of Lancaster, Pa., and the latter 
a native <jf Westnujreland Co., Pa. 

The father of our subject was a tanner l)y 
trade, and followed that occupation all of tlie 
active period of his life, retiring from labor 
twenty years previous to his death, which took 
place in 1877, when he was aged sixty-five years. 
Id^e was a prominent man of his section and very 
influential in political circles, in which he figured 
as a leading Democrat. His wife, who passed 
awa\- in 1882, bore him thirteen children, as fol- 
lows; liridget; Joseph: Ji:)lm: IMartha A.; 
James; Mary; Peter; Arthur; Alice; Francis; 
and Mark F. ; the remainder of the fainih- did 
not grow up to maturity. Bridget married V. 
M. Kirwin of Pittsburg, Pa., and had four chil- 
dren, Mary, Honora, Arthur, and Pauline. Jo- 
seph manicd Susan Layton of Derry, Pa., and 
their union resulted in the following family: 
James L., John, William. Joseph, Augusta, 
Mary, anrl Pauline. ^Fartha A. married Edward 
( VBrien of Westmoreland Co., Pa., and to them 
were given Mary, Louis, Alice, and Edward. 
James married Catherine Botzem of Westmore- 
land Co., Pa., now deceased, and three children 
were liorn to them, William, Louis, and Anna. 
Mary married Edward Layton and has two chil- 
dren living, Anna and Arthur. The family 
were communicants of the Roman Catholic 
Church. 

I)r. Toner's collegiate education was secured 
in St. \'incent's College of Westmoreland Co., 
Pa.; upon the completion of bis course in that 
instituti<.)n, and after a course of reading medi- 
cine under Dr. J. C. L'line of Derry Station, he 
entered Jefferson Medical College of Philadel- 
pbia. Pa., and graduated in 181)3. He at once 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



t)29 



located in Xew Castk-, wIktc he lias established 
a general office practice at io6 South Jeflferson 
Street, that is highly creditable to one whose 
years of professional activity have been com- 
paratively few. He enjoys the confidence and 
esteem of his fellow-practitioners, and of a large 
circle of patrons, and is considered to be thor- 
oughly competent to treat any case successfully 
which comes up in a general practice. He is 
a member of the Lawrence County Medical So- 
ciety, and officiated as its secretary for two 
vears. 



CHARLES UCl-l'Y, deceased, who in life 
was prominently connected with many import- 
ant interests of the city of Xew Castle, was born 
in the neighboring county of Butler, this State, 
and was a son of Daniel ; 



Castle and Brighton, Pa. This venture proved 
very profitable and was continued up to the time 
of the advent of the railroad, which of course 
put a stop to the traffic by offering superior 
means of communication. He next saw money 
in the hotel business, and ran a hotel a number 
of months. He was also engaged in the real es- 
tate lousiness to some extent, and Xew Castle is 
indebted to him for many improvements in her 
surroundings and in the rapid progress she has 
made. Mr. Dufify was also connected with the 
iron business with Messrs. A. L. Crawford, Wil- 
der, and others, well known to citizens of Law- 
rence County. Our subject was one of tliose 
cheery, companionable men, whom everyone de- 
lights to know, and who go through the world 
surrounded with friends, and at death leave 
many to mourn their departure. His success 
in a financial sense was quite phenomenal, but 
Hannah Dufify, still was what might be lociked for from a man 



who were natives of the Keystone State. 

Daniel Dufify followed agricultural pursuits 
all his life, and well merited the success with 
which he met. He and his wife were members 
of the Catholic Church. 

Our subject, having com])leted a common 
school education in the school of Monrocsville, 
Pa., took u]) the pursuit of boating between 
Pittsburg and Philadelphia; the boats that were 
used were called section-boats, that is, they were 
so constructed that they could be taken apart 
and put together again with very little trouble, 
thus facilitating the passage over the mountains. 
.\fter a number of. years were spent in this em- 
ployment he came to New Castle, where he en- 
gaged in a freight and passenger transportation 
business, rumiing a h6rse packet between New 



who, conunencing at the lowest round of life's 
ladder, raised himself to a position among the 
most highly esteemed men of this part of the 
State, as a self-made man, whose chief charac- 
teristics were energy and pluck and a wonderful 
determination to succeed. His death took place 
very suddenly in i88.^. He was a Catholic in 
belief. 

He married Delilah Painter, daughter of 
William and Eliza (P)rewer) Painter, both of 
whom were natives of Westmoreland Co., Pa. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Dutty were born two children: 
William A., <lecease(l: and Hannah E., who mar- 
ried William Cary Cobough of Xew Castle, Pa., 
and had three children: Arabella C: Charles D.; 
and Eva, deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Co- 
bough are deceased. 



C30 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

CHARLES F. ALBORX, the manager of his present farm in 1874 of ninety-six acres in 

Big Run ]\Iill of Alborn & Son, located in Shen- Shcnango township, and has since devoted him- 

ango township, not far from New Castle, was self to general mixed farming and to cider-mak- 

born in Franklin township, Beaver Co., I'a., Oct. ing. His wife, who was born in the village of 

II, 1865, and is a son of Henry C. and Caroline Deutchweiler, Rheinfels, l!avaria, was a daugh- 

(Young) Alborn, and grantlson of Augustus and ter of John and Mary (Miller) Young, the latter 

Christiana (Elias) Alborn. a daughter of Jacob ]\Iiller, a tailor by trade, 

Our subject's grandmother was born near the who lived and died in Germany. John Young 

village of Fuerstenhaagen, Germany, where her came to the United States in 1852, and at once 

parents lived and died. Augustus Alborn was became a resident of Butler County, where his 

a miller when a resident of Germany, but after uncle lived. A year after his arrival he bought 

coming to this country in the summer of 1846 he a farm of fifty-six acres, and made it his home 

followed agricultural pursuits. Landing in Bal- until his death in 1858, aged fifty-two years, 

timore, Md., after a long sea-voyage of 51 da}s Six children were born in the family of our sub- 

from Bremen, he went direct to Pittsburg, and ject's parents, as follows: Mary Ellen, deceased; 

thence to Beaver County to the home of kins- Caroline, the wife of Rev. Ivan Dietrich of Al- 

folks, who had preceded him to the New World, legheny City, to whom she has presented four 

Commencing with fifty-five acres he succeeded children — Theodore, Hilda, Luther, and Her- 

so well that he came at length to own one hun- man; Charles F., the subject of this brief biog- 

dred acres besides. His death took place in rajjhy; Henry ; Tillie; and Frank. Our subject's 

December, 1885, when he was aged seventy- parents are members of the Lutheran Church, 

eight vears. He and his wife were members of and his father votes the Democratic ticket, 

the Lutheran Church. Charles F. Alborn lived in Franklin township, 

Henry C. Alborn was born in Germany, and Beaver County, until he was eight years old, 

was the oldest of five children born to his pa- when the family moved to Lawrence County, 

rents, three of whom were born in the Father- and made its home on what was known as the 

land; he was seven vears old when his parents McEwen farm. He attended school in Beaver 

brought Iiini with them to the United States. and Lawrence counties until he was eighteen 

He was educated in Butler County, and remained years of age, and remained at home until he was 

under the parental roof until he was twenty-five twenty-three, when he learned the business of 

years old. He then began for himself, first on milling at Big Run Alill, under the instruction of 

a farm, which he rented from his father, and E. D. Failer. After the mill was burned. Mr. 

then on a farm of 100 acres which he purchased Alborn and his father bought the mill site, in- 

in Perry township, this county. He next trans- eluding the dam, pond and water rights, be- 

ferred the scenes of his labors to Franklin town- sides eight acres of adjoining land, and erected 

ship, near his father, where he operated a farm the present mill, which is fully equipped for mak- 

of seventy-five acres for ten years. He bought ing the finest of bolted flour, as well as grinding 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 631 

feed and other grist. The mill is fitted out with The siil)ject of this sketch was born March 
suitable machinery and engines, so that the wa- 8, i86S, and is a son of David M. and Lizzie C. 
ter power may at any time be reinforced or en- (Curran) Courtney, the former of ^^lercer Co., 
tirely supplanted by steam-power. As the en- Pa., and the latter a native of Zanesville, Ohio. 
tire product finds a ready local market, the firm David M. Courtney was born in Wolf Creek, 
is not required to look elsewhere for trade. Mr. Pa., in 1810, and after obtaining a common 
Alborn is orderly, systematic and a great "hust- school education in the schools of his native 
ler," and the result of such valuable characteris- place, worked in an iron furnace. Later on he 
tics aiding him in his work is that the business took charge of a furnace for a few years, finally 
is pros])ering and yields handsome profits to the removing to New Castle, where he engaged in 
fimi. a general mercantile business on Xeshannock 
Mr. Alliorn was married Jan. 21, 1892, at the .Avenue. He was a prominent man in public af- 
residence of the bride's parents, to Annie M. fairs, and as a Democrat was elected to the office 
W'einschenk, daughter of George G. W'ein- of county commissioner. He was twice mar- 
schenk, whose life sketch appears elsewhere in ried. His first wife was Violetta Fo.k of New 
this work. Three children have blessed this Ca.stle, and from this union there resulted the 
union: Carrie Alice; Emanuel Henry; and Carl following children: Charlie F. ; Henry, de- 
Louis. They are members of the Lutheran ceased; Ellen (Mrs. Edward Patterson); 
Ciuircli, and Mr. .Mborn has independent views Thomas; Anna: and ICdward L. After his first 
in politics. wife's death he was again joined in marriage, 

the bride being Elizabeth C. Curran, daughter 

--►•^*— qJ ]!rice Curran; this took place in 1867. Two 

children were the fruit of this union: PhiHp T. 

PHILIP T. COURTNEY. Among the and Mary \V. 

brainy young men of the city of New Castle, (^ur subject was a pupil of the New Castle 

whose future seems especially bright, there are schools until he was sixteen years of age, when 

few whom it would give us greater pleasure to he learned the machinist's trade and worked at 

give a place in this P)Ook of Biographies than pattern-making about two years. At the age 

the gentleman whose name heads this short of twenty years he turned his attention tcj me- 

sketch. The present age is an age of inventions chanical drawing, and has been more or less en- 

and labor-saving devices, and special attention gaged in that occupation since as an experienced 

has been given in late vcars to the study of me- draughtsman : he has made several designs from 

chanics; our subject is an expert t>n mechanical which valuable machines have been constructed 

contrivances and inventions, and Cjuite a num- for use in the manufacture of iron. It was 

ber of patents on various processes and utensils chiefly through Mr. Courtney's untiring efforts 

in the manufacture of iron have been taken out that the New Castle Tube Mill located at New 

under the direction of Air. Courtney. Castle, and he is interested in its financial sue- 



C>:i2 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



cess as a stockliohk-r in the concern. He is at and followed it steadily for sixteen years, until 
present engaged in the manufacture of a horse- 1892, when he purchased his present business, 
less carriage. Mr. Courtney is a man of rare He has made of his restaurant one of the most 
mechanical ability, and will some time rank popular resorts in the city to obtain a good meal 

or a short order lunch; it is run on strictlv Inisi- 



aniong America's noted inventors. He is a 
Democrat politically. 



WILLIAM C. HESS, the sole proprietor anc 



ness principles, is patronized by a very desirable 
class of customers, and offers many advantages 
to those in search of good, wholesome food. 

In 1883 oi"" subject was joined in marriage 
with Marian Schafer, daughter of H. H. Schafer 



manager of the English Kitchen Lunch Room of New Castle, and their familv now consists of 



of No. 8, South Mercer Street, New Castle. 
Lawrence Countv. was born in the above citv 



these children: Herman; Wilhelmina D., de- 
ceased; Marian; Helen, deceased; and Bertrand, 



June 6, 1S57. He is descended from a good deceased. The familv are regular attendants of 



the Lutheran Church. Socially, he is a mem- 
ber of the Knights of Pythias organization, also 
of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Ju- 
nior (.)rder of the L'nited American Mechanics. 



German family, his father being Charles Hess 
of Baden, and his mother being Dorothy Apple 
of Bavaria. 

When the father of our subject came to this 
country, he engaged in the meat business, and 
has followed it ever since he became a resident 

■ I ^ I m 

of New Castle. There were born to our sub- 
ject's parents ten children, of whom the follow- 
ing lived to maturity; Emily, who married H. JtJHN W. KXOX,* one of New Castle's 
P>. Schweitzer of Pittsburg, Pa., and has three most enterprising citizens, and prominently con- 
children, Lester, Ethel, and Mary E. ; Erank G., nected with many of the large manufacturing in- 
who married a Miss Summer of Niles, Ohio, and terests, is the president of the Lawrence Glass 
has two children, Ward and Carl; Margaret, who Co., and secretary and treasurer of the Shenango 
married Ered Rawle of Texas; Alatilda, who Glass Co., both of New Castle, which are among 
married Herman Abbott of Alleglieny, Pa., and the largest producers of glass in the Lnited 
has borne him one child. Mildred; W. Minnie; States, and have established an excellent repu- 
and Paul. He still survives his wife, who died tation, which is of the best in the trade. 



May 30, 1884, aged forty-nine years. 

William C. Hess was educated in the public 



Our subject is a native of the Keystone State, 
and was Ijorn in the city of Pittsburg, Pa., Sept. 



schools of New Castle, and by diligent efTorts 20, 1846. and 'is a son of George and Mary 

secured an excellent basis for a successful busi- (Shubley) Knox, also natives of Pittsburg. Our 

ness life. When, a young man he went into his subject's father passed his early life in his native 

father's shop and learned the butcher's trade, citv, engaged as a contractor and builder, but at 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



633 



length tiring of city life, and desiring to raise 
his family in the country, he bought a farm at 
Marietta, Ohio, and made his home at that place 
for many years, coming to be widely known 
throughout his own county as a leading and 
progressive farmer, whose methods of agricul- 
ture were sure to be practical, and whose efforts 
were invariably crowned with success. After a 
long life, spent in honest toil, he retired from 
the active work incident to his occupation, and 
at present lives at Smithton, Mo., at the age of 
seventy-three. His wife died when about sixty- 
seven years of age. They became the parents 
of ten children, of whom all are living but three; 
the record is: Henry, who was killed at Pitts- 
burg Landing. Tenn.. in 1862; John W. ; Mary; 
George E.; Elizabeth; Edward; Charles; twin 
brothers, Samuel and Fred (the latter of whom 
died when an infant, and Samuel at the age of 
ten); and William. ( )ur subject's father was 
a Democrat in his early life, but was never a 
man who 'cared for or aspired to any political 
preferment. 

John \V. assisted bis father in the work of the 
farm during the years of his boyhood, and in tlic 
school of experience, and from instruction im- 
parted to him by his respected parent, he ac- 
quired those excellent business principles which 
have contributed so much toward making him a 
successful man. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. F, 
looth Reg. I'a. \'ol. Inf.. and served through the 
remainder of the war, passing through many 
engagements in front of Petersburg and Rich- 
mond. \'a.. and received an honorable discharge 
upon the mustering out of the regiment. At the 
close of the war he took up his residence in Xew 
Castle, and became clerk for liis uncle, John 



Knox, who was proprietor of the Knox House, 
and remained with him until 187 1, when he leased 
the property, bought the furniture and fi.xtures, 
and conducted the establishment until 1873, 
when the building was destroyed by fire; on its 
site has since been erected the Knox Block. 
Then Mr. Kno.x bought and ran the hotel, now 
known as the Fountain Inn, making many im- 
provements in its arrangements and conven- 
iences, and catering to a very desirable class of 
patrons. In 1874 he sold his hotel property, and 
entered the real estate business with Mr. Har- 
bison, under the firm name of Harbison & Knox, 
which has lately been changed to Knox & 
Morehead. In 1877, with W. S. F"oltz and For- 
bes Holton, he leased the Croton Glass Works 
and manufactured window glass until 1881, when 
he sold his interest, and, with W. S. Foltz, 
Ixjught the Lawrence Agricultural Implements 
l'"actory. and remodeled it into a window g'lass 
manufactory, and produced glass under the firm 
name of Knox & Foltz, Limited, with W. S. 
Foltz as president and John W. Knox as sec- 
retary and treasurer. In 1893 the company was 
reorganized and incorporate<l as the Shenango 
Glass Co., Messrs. Foltz and Knox retaining 
the same positions as in the former concern. In 
1893 the factory burned down, and they imme- 
diately rebuilt on the most generous plan, utiliz- 
ing five acres of ground for the various .struc- 
tures. The factory includes the following build- 
ings: A main factory building, 90x204; flatten- 
■ning house, 90x146; cutting house, 62x112; 
packing house, 40x60: pot and clay house, 40X 
60, with an ell, 30x60; stock house, 27x70; two 
warehouses, one 40x100, and the other 40x180; 
a boiler house, 120x30: blacksmith shop, 24x24; 



634 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

box factory, 52x60: storage house, 40x60; ice efforts. His splendid Ixisiness career, wliicli we 

house, 16x24: stalile, 30x60: two private side- liave every reason to think has l)ut just begun, 

tracks that give the factor\' the service of the is an example of what may be done by American 

Pennsylvania R. R.,;and an eleg'ant office. Thus citizens, and offers an incentive to young men, 

t'he equipment and means for the getting out of just entering a business career, to strive for tlie 

a large product are of the best: the firm has l)est and highest point. 

about three hundred men on its pay-rolls. In Mr. Knox married Sue G. McClary, daughter 
1879, witli ^'- W. Taylor of Cleveland, Ohio, I. of Joseph ■\IcClary of Philadelphia, Pa. His 
W. Pope of Chagrin h'alls. < )hio, R. S. and W. finely appointed residence is located at 117 North 
S. Fciltz of New Castle, ^Ir. Knox bought the Mercer Street, and was built after his own plans, 
plant known as the Neshannock Paper Co. Tni- In politics he is a Repubhcan, and although he 
mediately on assuming charge of their new has never sought any office whatever, he has 
holdings the company remodeled the builflings served seven years as a member of the city conn- 
then in use, secured more space, extended their cil. In 1880 the Lawrence County Agricultural 
works in every direction, and built the necessary and Horticultural Society was organized, with 
new structures, introducing the latest and most D. H. Wallace, president: S. D. Long, treasurer: 
approved types of machinery. They now have and T- W. Knox, secretarv. 
one of the largest and most imidern plants of 
t'he kind in the country, manufacturing paper 
under the firm name of the New Castle Paper ". 
Co., with J. W. Kno.x as ]iresident antl I. W. 

Pope as secretary an<l treasurer. Resides hav- ALEXANDER M. GREEN,* a worthy citi- 
ing full charge of the Shenango Glass Co. 's work zen of Neshannock township and a successful 
and being so deeply interested in the manutac- farmer, was born in Claremlon township, Ohio, 
ture of paper, Mr. Knox is president of the Law- April 15, 1825, and is a son of George and Mary 
rence Manufacturing Co., an active member of (McKinney) Green, both of whom were of Eng- 
the important insurance and real estate tirni of hsh extraction and natives of Bradford, Pa. 
Kno.x & Moreihead, a stockholder in the New Thomas Green, the father of George and grand- 
Castle Steel and Tin Plate Co., and in the Clin- father of Alexander, was a native of Susquelian- 
ton Coal Co., a director of the First National na. Pa., near Stone Creek, and was a farmer by 
Bank of New Castle, and a leading figure in occupation. He owned and operated a farm in 
many other enterprises of a commercial nature that town until 1838. when he sold out an<l 
with which 'he 'has been connected. He deserves moved with his family to the State of Ohio, 
to rank among the first of New Castle's citizens, where he lived with his son the remainder of his 
and is entitled to the high esteem in which he Hfe. He was quite successful in life, and exhibi- 
is held, for his success is of the solid, sui)Stantial ted many business traits that placed him above 
kind, and has been achieved by his own unaided the ordinary citizen in intelligence and general 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



635 



ability to make the best of things, lie was also 
a man who took a hearty interest in local ix)li- 
tics, and as a Whig partisan v\^s elected squire, 
tax collector, and assessor at different periods. 
He married Hannah Grigsby, like himself a na- 
tive of Susquehanna, I'a.. and tiie following 
named children were born to tlieni : Elisha; Jon- 
athan; George; Betsey; and Rachel. Tlieir re- 
ligious belief made them devout members of the 
M. E. Church. Thomas Green died in 1841, hav- 
ing attained the very extraordinary age of 
ninety-six years; his wife was called to her long 
home in the year i)revious, aged eighty-five 
years. 

George Green, the father of Alexander, was 
educated in the schools of Betlford, Pa., and 
when a young man turned liis attention to agri- 
cultural jnirsuits, remaining in the locality of his 
boyhood until 1S25, when he moved to Ohio, 
where he purchased a farming tract of three 
hundred acres, then in its natural, wild state, 



Metzgar of Philadelphia, by whom he had two 
sons, Charles and John; (ieorge; I'^ranklin, who 
married Jane Babcock of Montville township, 
Ohio, they had two children, James and Nettie; 
one that died in infancy; and Alexander, the 
subject of this notice. They were Methodists in 
their religious convictions. Our subject's father 
died Aug. I, 1880, aged eighty-seven years, and 
his mother in (October, 1867, aged sixty-three 
years. 

Alexander Green, after completing his educa- 
tion in the di.strict schools of his native tovvnsihip, 
remained on the home farm until his twenty-first 
year, when he came to Pulaski township. In 
1 85 1 he purchased 132 acres of land, on which 
he lived and farmed until the spring of 1853, 
when be moved back to Ohio, where he made 
his residence until the spring of 1857, when he 
came to Xeshannock township and bought the 
farm he now owns, and on which he has since 
remained, engrossed in agricultural operations. 



which he placed in excellent condition, securing in which he has proved himself to be a success- 
for himself by his lal>ors initelligently directed a fid manager. 



leading position among the agriculturists of his 
township. He was a very active man, with a 
well-trained mind that aided him to no smail 
degree in his work. In politics he was a Whig, 
and filled several of the elective township offices, 
whidi shows in part in how great estima/tion he 
was belli by his associates. He married Mary Mc- 
Kiimey, daughter of Ale-vaiider McKinney, and 
their union was blessed with seven children, viz. : 
Amanda, who married William Y. Greer of Xes- 
hannock township, and bore him three children, 



He was joined in hoh- matrimony with Re- 
becca J. Hunt, daughter of William and Lue 
(Xewkirk) Hunt of Beaver Co., Pa., and their 
home has been blessed with the following chil- 
dren: Mary E., born Jan. 28, 1853, married 
Isaac S. Thomas of Pittsburg, and has one child, 
E. Clara; William E., deceased; George Mc, 
born Sept. 9, 1857, married Annie Bowman of 
liedford Co., Pa., and has two children, Freddie 
Mc and Jasper X.; Luella, born X'^ov. 26, 1859, 
married Peter Snyder of Edinburg, Pa., and five 



George, Charles, and Nettie, deceased; Andrew, children were born to them. Fay, Eva, William, 
wiio married Caroline Dinmvick of the State of Edith, and Carrie, deceased; Eudora H., born 
Connecticut; Thomas J., who married Hannah April 28, 1862, but now deceased, married 



636 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, 

Charles Ferver of Pulaski township, ami five 
diiUlren resulted. Percy; George, W. Verne and 
William E., Beatrice; Carrie E., born March 26, 
1865, married Samuel M. Cover of New Castle, 
Pa.: Delmer \'., born March 7. 1868, married 
Bertha Schaffer of Mercer, ]'a, ; and Harry T.. 
who was born Nov. 23. 1873, and married Mary 
Sweasy of Middlesex township. Pa. Mrs. Green 
is a member in good standing of the M. E. 
Church of Neshannock township. Pa. 



JOHN H. PRESTON,* the general manager 
of the New Castle Seamless Steel Tube Co., was 
born in Mercer Co., Pa., and has been a resi- 
dent of New Castle since 1867. He is a son of 
Marcus and Dorothy (Yealy) Preston, and 
grandson of Bencunias Preston, who was a noted 
survevor of his da}', and ran the lines in Chau- 
tauqua County, and in various localities of West- 
ern New York. He was also engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits to no small extent and profit, 
and owned large tracts of land. His son Marcus 
was born in the western part of New York, and 
early in life settled at Sharon, Mercer County, 
on the so-called Donation Tract. He devoted 
his energies to the lumber business, but died at 
the age of thirty-five. His wife, Dorothy, died 
Oct. 31, 1896, aged eighty-five years. Six chil- 
dren were born to them, of whom four are liv- 
ing; the record reads: Sylvester H.; Rebecca 
M., deceased; Mary A., deceased; George L. ; 
James H.; and John H., the subject of this 
sketch. 

John H. F'reston, after serving a full appren- 
ticeship at the carpenter's trade, worked as a 



LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

jovvrnevman until 1863, serving five luonths in 
the meantime in Capt. George Sununer's Inde- 
pendent j\1ilitia Company. From 1874 to 1882 
he carried on contracting in New Castle 
and elsewhere, and then entered into the 
lumljer business, running a planing mill 
and keeping in stock a large and com- 
plete line of builders' supplies at New Castle. 
In 1891 our subject sold the lumber business 
to the New Castle Lumber Co., now known as 
the Gailey Lumber Co. Then, as his general 
health was not of the best, he decided to retire 
and enjoy -the remaining years of his life in the 
home he had built for himself at 102 Court 
Street. Some of the best of his work as a build- 
er may be seen in the City Building and in the 
County Jail at New Castle. But his retirement 
was brought to a close July 2, 1894, and he again 
entered the walks of active business life, for he 
had become a heavy stockholder in the New Cas- 
tle Steel Tube Co., which was then being organ- 
ized, and, with others likewise interested in the 
venture, established and built the New Castle 
Tulie Factory, providing as a site a part of the 
old Fair (Grounds, which was purchased for that 
purpose. The main building, ~},-j feet long by 
II feet wide, and the roller mill, 80 by 180, were 
opened for active operations in January, 1895, 
and the factory started in to work with four 
forges, two heating furnaces, two trains of roll- 
ers, and two 150-pound hammers. The product 
of tlie factory, which is known to bicycle manu- 
facturers as the New Castle High (!rade Seam- 
less Steel Tubing for Bicycles, has a demand in 
tlie United States and in England. Employment 
is given to about 260 men in getting out the an- 
nual product of 12,000,000 feet, or 4,000 tons. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 037 

The company is officered as follows: John Stev- Our subject's grandfather was an early resi- 
enson, jr., president; John H. Preston, gen- dent of Cumberland Co., Pa., and sherifT of Car- 
eral manager; and D. C. Wallace, secretary and lisle, Pa., where in early life he was engaged in 
treasurer. Our subject also, in company with the mercantile business, also doing considerable 
E. T. Kurtz, L. I). Long, and Janu-s II. Preston, teaming. He served in the War of 1812, and 
bought the remainder of the Fair (irounds. lived to be upwards of eighty years of age, as did 
formerh- a ])art of the Long estate, and besides his wife also. The children born to them were: 
selling many building lots, they have laid out Mrs. Kimball; Rodolf; John; and Jacob, 
streets and walks and built twenty-two houses, Late in life John S'lieaflfer, our subject's father, 
which they let principally to employees of the moved to Wilkins, Allegheny Co., Pa., and bc- 
Tulje Co. gan dealing in lime. Subseiiuently ho bought a 
Mr. Preston is a stanch Republican, a mem- farm and hotel on the Pittsburg and Greenburg 
her of the (\. A. K. Post, and a ])rominent mem- turnpike, the hotel known as the Sheafifer House, 
ber of the Ma.sonic fraternity. His first wife, where he lived until the Angel of Death sum- 
Mary M., daughter of Robert and Dora Welsh moned him to is long home, May 25, 1894. His 
of New Castle, died at the age of thirty-two. birth took pJace in 1805. so that he nearly corn- 
leaving three children; Minnie and Lulu, now pK-led ninety years. His wife, who was born in 
deceased; and Harry, who at the age of twenty- the same year as he, is living with lur daughter, 
one is l)illing clerk for the Xcw Castle Tube Co. Mrs. Dowd, in T\'nn townsliij). She often tells 
Mr. Preston married as his second wife Susie S. of the hardships and trials of the early days. 
Welsh, a sister of Mary ^L, and has had six when she was a child, during the troubles on the 
children by this union: George; John; Charles; border with the Indians; on one occasion she 
Marcus; Martlia; and Roy. was taken in her mother's arms to tlie block- 
house near I'rceport, where, with other fugitives, 
they were obliged to remain until the blood- 
thirsty redskins had retired from the war-path, 
and were ready to smoke the pipe of peace with 
H(J.\". Jt)ll.\ SHEAFFER,* associate judge their white brothers. At this writing she is en- 
of New Castle, possesses an excellent record, joying her second eye-sight, can hear well, and 
rarely bettered in all its particulars, as a patri- is able to help about the house by ])erforniing 
otic, law-abiding, and loyal citizen, as a gallant many necessary though light duties. She has 
and courageous soldier on the field of battle in always been a great worker in religious circles, 
defense of his country, and as a judge on the and is now a faithful member of the Presbyter- 
bench. He was born in Wilkins towniship, Al- ian Church; her knowledge of the Scripture is 
legheny Co., Pa., Dec. 10, 1838, and is a son of nothing short of wonderful, and it is not going 
John and Lucy Ann (Mclntyre) Sheafifer, and beyond the bounds of veracity to affirm that 
grandson of John SlieafTer. there is no portion of the (lood Book with 



63S 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



whrich she is not familiar. She has reared the 
following eleven children: Caroline, who mar- 
ried J. Knox: Margaret is deceased: William is 
a resident of Httsburg: Mar\- married S. Dhleni: 
John is the subject of this brief article: Harry 
is deceased: as is Elizabeth. Jerr\-. and Tames 
E. : Lenora married J- Collins: Harriet is de- 
ceased. Our subject's father was a ^^ hig and 
later a RepubHcan. and as an active politician 
held many of the town offices. He was a leading 
member of the Presbrterian Church. 

To3in Sheaffer assisted his father in the fann 
work and in the duties attendant upon keeping 
a public house, and then entered the railroad 
serx'ice as a fireman. In 1861. responding with 
alacrit}- and good-will to the call for troops to 
put down the rebellion, he enlisted in Co. A. 
loist Reg. Pa. \o\. Inf.. and went to the front 
under Gen. iNIcClellan and took part in the fight- 
ing at the siege of Yorktown. From there he 
went with his regiment to Williamsburg, and 
fought thereafter in the battles of Button 
Bridge. Fair Oaks. Malvern Hill, and in the 
Seven Days fighting before Richmond: he ser\ed 
also -n-ith credit to himself in the battle? of 
Kingston. WTiite Hall. (/: 

mouth. He had enlisted for three years, and 
at the expiration of his terra of ser\-ice he re- 
enrolled his name and served from tlien 
to the close of the war, never losing a 
day. His courage and indomitable will 
is known to his feUow-citizens of Xew 
Castle to-day: this fortitude was exhibited 
in large measure in the army — he was al- 
ways to the front and eager for volunteer and 
adventurous sen-ice: he escaped bodily injur}- 
irom missiles, seeming to bear a charmed life on 



the field of carnage, for his clothes were pierced 
time and time again with minie bullets. At the 
battle of Fort Comfort he, with liis entire regi- 
ment, was captured ^lay 3. 1864, and the entire 
command was marched to Andersonville Prison, 
where Mr. SheafTer suffered from being de- 
prived of sufficient food and water, and what he 
did receive was hardly gxKxi enough to throw 
to swine. Daily he saw those who were of weak- 
er constitutions than himseb' waste away and 
die a miserable death, and when but a few of the 
regiment were left they were transferred, in Sep- 
tember, to Florence, where a new prison had 
been fitted up to relieve the congested condi- 
tion of Anderson\"ille. There he was appointed 
hospital sergeant, and making use of the liberty 
allowed him, he with six others, on Oct. 2, 1864, 
managed to make his escape, swimming and 
fording rivers, to avoid the traveled highways. 
Tliey were again taken prisoners at Conway- 
boro, after a hard tramp of fony miles, full of 
pri\-ation and exposure, but they soon made 
their escape, and were again taken prisoners at 
Clinton on Xov. 11. 1864: however, they only 
delayed long enough with their captors to snatch 
a brief rest, and then secured their liberty once 
more. On Xov. 11, 1864, Mr. Sheaffer reached 
X'ewburn, where he applied for a veteran's fur- 
lough, which he had not received since joining 
the army; upon receiving it he came home and 
was taken sick there, but when he regained his 
health he returned to the army in April, 1865, 
and was discharged in June, 1865. at the close 
of the war. He then came to Lawrence 
County, and for nine years was a clerk in the 
Knox Hotel at X'ew Castle, and to-day owns 
the old homestead. He is now retired, although 



C/T/ir- . - r- r? 



'^GRAPHIES. LAWREXCE COl'STY. 



•>3y 



active in all interests periiining lo the improve- 
ment and progress of the counrv". He was elect- 
ed associate judge in 1892. and has held the of- 
fice since. He is a member of the local G. A. R. 
Post 

Mr. ^eafFer married Miss Harriet Robert, 
daughter of Samuel Robert of Shenango towTi- 
ship. and has ■' ' • ■• .- j^^. ^^- Quion, all 

of whom are li... ... - ^;r name? '" ' -tu- 

pations are a? f-"-'.vs: Charles .\-. a /m 

T.. a tailor ■. H., a merchant tailor: Ed- 

nerchant tailor: Waker B.. a glass- 
maker: jay R.. a tailor: James A., and Oscar, 
who live at home with their parents. 



MAJOR HENRY DRESCHER.* wagon 
manufacturer and repairer of New Castle, was 
bom in Saxony. Germany, .\pril ij,. 1836. and 
is a son of Andrew and Rachel (Senkdi 
Drescher. and grandson of Joseph Drescher. 
Our subject's grandfather neier came to .Amer- 
ica, but his son. Andrew, who was bom in Sax- 
ony, came to the United States when Henry, 
our subject, was a baby. Andrew Drescher was 
a carpenter and settled in Butler County, and 
followed his trade, buying a home in Saxony- 
burg and o%\-ning a small farm. At the age of 
fifty-five he fell fr^ A of hay and sus- 

tained fatal injuries, which soon brought on 
death. His wife lived to enjoy eighr>--two years : 
she obtained her second eyesight and could see 
so as to read and hear very well, and on her 80th 
birthday, when her son, the subject of this 
sketch, gave birthday reception, she 



wakzed as Hghtly as in her youthful days. She 
was the mother of six c'r ' ' ' "" ~f- 

tina: Hannah: y\-' ".-'■"'^ . ■• :-=: 

and a son. who r. an infant. 

When a young man our subject looked ab<:»ut 
him for a suitable trade to engage in and become 
familiar with, and deciding on the wagon-mak- 
er's trade, h ' 1 f'Xirteun 

years in B-u.... .: " :■ New 

Castle in 1 88 1. When h - Dunty 

he opened up in business directly M the manu- 
facture of heavy wagons and all I mds of wagon 
repairing: each year he turned out a lar^e num- 
ber of orders, that were executed in a first-dass 

jj^„„ _ -„ : -, -,.^ ;„ ever\- way -•■' ; -' -"i 

ser - y of his wag - r- 

ing his first year's residence in New Castle, are 
being used at this date, and bid fair to last much 
longer, and give their owners all the service that 
could possibly be expected. He now devotes 
jj£j .:_. ._ : -._• _; „_„.;,-••. . - -firing. In 

i8cc .: . : - . c- Pa- VoL 

Inf.. for a nine months" term of service, and upon 
its e.xpiratJon he re-enlisted in Co. E. TSch Reg. 
Pa. \"oL Inf.. and was mustered out of the ser- 
vice at the close of the war as drum major. He 

is a natural musician, and m hi? • " ' ■"•■? 

was associated with the band. . . "g^ 

to remain in New Castle he bought himself a 
home on Lawrence Street, where he has lived 
since. He has been a member of the Knights of 
P>thias order for twemy-sfx years, and has been 
thr ^' ."rs three times: K>r twenty years 

he ....-- :- as secretar>- and keeper of the 

records. 

In March. 1858. Maj. Drescher was joined in 
the hohr bond of matriroonv with Miss Max)- E- 



(UO BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Eriser, daughter of Frederick Eriser, and three build a home for himself and for those who 

children have come into the home to cheer and should come later. His estate was cleared 

brigfhten it. namely: Annie, who died in youfh; mainly by his own strong arm and a house was 

\Mlliam. who married Mary D. Ouimbley. is a erected which was. for those days, considered 

wagon-maker by trade, and lias two children, spacious and elegant. His wife, Elizabeth, bore 

Edna and IJruce; Joseph, the youngest of our him a family of ten children, who were named 

subject's children, did not live to grow up, but as follows: Elizabeth; Margaret: John; Henry; 

was taken back to Him who gave him. Ann; Mary: George and Daniel, twins; Mercy; 

and Michael. 

Of the foregoing family Henry was the grand- 
father of our subject. He was born east of the 
mountains and lived in Baltimore, Aid., for a pe- 
ALEXANDER JORDAN,* a representative riod when a young man; he followed his father 
and enterprising farmer of Washington town- to his new home, and was assisted in buying a 
ship, belongs to a family that has had more to do large farm of 200 acres near the home place, 
with the upbuilding of the portion of Lawrence This farm of his. which was almost entirely new 
County in which its founder settled than any land, remained his home for the remainder of 
other. The pioneer Jordan, Henry by name, his life; he had the full arduous experience of 
the great-grandfather of the subject of this nar- the pioneer fanner in reclaiming the soil from 
rative, was one of the men who at a very early the forests. He built a house, which is now 
date made a home in the wilderness of Western standing as a monument of how well he did his 
Pennsylvania, forced to be content with the work. To him and his beloved wife a family 
wandering Indians and the wild beasts of the of eight children came, namely: Alexander, our 
woods for companions. Henry Jordan, the el- subject's father; Elizabeth; Margaret; Henry; 
der. came from Germany, when a young man, the place is especially well adapted. Mr. Jor- 
about 1762: he served through the Revolution- dan was a Aliss Anna Anderson, a daughter of 
ary War, and at its close sought a place where Alexander Anderson, a native of Ireland. Henry 
he could obtain a home cheaply and grow up Jordan brought his family up in the faith of the 
with the country. His instincts led him to ag- Presbyterian Church, and from him his sons in- 
ricultural lines, and in search of a suitable home herited the soundest kind of Democratic doc- 
he took his family and struck out over the trine. He lived to see his ninety-third year, 
mountains, bound for a district which he had Alexander Jordan. Sr., was born and grew to 
heard was beautiful and fertile, and which was manhood in Washington township. Agricultu- 
as yet virgin land to the settler. He arrived ral pursuits claimed his time and attention. He 
in \\'ashington township and soon found a loca- was earlv impressed with the resources of his na- 
tion to his liking, where he took up a vast tract tive section, and labored hard and faithfully to 
of timber-covered land. Here he started in to develop them. He brought his farm into en- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



64-1 



tire subjection, improved it with new buildings 
and a splendid system of underdraining. and was 
a ver\- successful and progressive breeder of 
stock. He died at the age of sixty-nine, leav- 
ing his second wife, who was a Miss Julia Coop- 
er, and two children by the second marriage — 
Nancy J. and John A. His first wife's maiden 
name was Margaret McComb, and she bore him 
five children: Alexander: Henry: Elizabeth: Re- 
becca: and Sarah Ann. In their church ideas 
they held to the traditions of the family, and 
kept up a close connection with the Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. Jordan was affiliated with the 
Democratic party, and was fearless and unre- 
ser\-ed in expressing his opinions and ideas. 

Alexander Jordan, our ; "' " " Segan his life 
Aug. 15, 1855. While stii. „ ._ . .:e learned the 
business ways and the agricultural methods that 
have made the family name well-known through 
Lawrence County, and have contributed so 
much to our subject's own prosperity. He in- 
herited his farm from his father, and it could 
not have fallen into better or worthier hands. 
He has followed the same line of farming as did 
his father before him, a style of farming to which 
the place is especially well adapted. Mr. Jor- 
dan's wife is Agnes (Pasleyj Jordan, who was 
bom of a prominent family in Lancaster, Pa. 
They are both attendants of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

Mr Jordan is a young man for one who has 
accomplished so much. He finds time for all 
things, and keeps well-posted on the events of 
the present day, and the progress and material 
development of this end of the nineteenth cen- 
tur)-. He has all the native shrewdness and 
sound judgment that, one expects to find in a 



Jordan, and is on all sides cordially liked and 
highly esteemed. As to his politics, Mr. Jor- 
dan is naturally a Democrat, dyed-in-the-wool, 
as it were, but beyond his giving his allegiance 
to that party from custom, he has good and suf- 
ficient reasons for his choice. He has accept- 
ably filled several offices, among which might 
be named those of assessor and school director. 
In all matters, whether great or small, he is a 
typical American citizen, and an upright, 
straightforward man, whom it is a real pleasure 
to meet. 



DR. LEAXDER F. CAIX,* the able editor 
and proprietor of the Ellwood Motor, an eight- 
page, six-column weekly paper of EUwood City, 
and one of the most popular of the excellent 
body of citizens, who have made that thriving 
little city what it is to-day. was born in Caldwell. 
Marion Co.. Ohio, July 21. 1856. \'ersatility 
and readiness to adapt himself to the most tr^■- 
ing situations seem to be leading characteristics 
in the make-up of our subject. In him may be 
found the representative of three leading profes- 
sions — law, medicine and journalism — in each of 
which he has achieved a reputation for thor- 
ough, earnest and reliable work. As a journal- 
ist his history since coming to EIlwx>od City in 
1895 is inseparably linked vsTth the city of his 
choice. 

His father, James Cain, was a school-teacher 
in Marion County for fony years, and then en- 
gaged in mercantile life for ten years in Enoch. 
Ohio, after which he bought a farm and spent 



(14-2 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



the remainder of his years near to Nature's 
heart, d}-ing at the age of seventy-four. 

The subject of this writing attended the com- 
mon schools initil he was prepared for college, 
and finished his collegiate course in 1879. He 
taught school for a while, but did not inherit 
his father's taste for instructing the young, so 
he entered the law office of Serotis & (iruljbs in 
Indiana, where he studied law until his admit- 
tance to the bar in 1881. He practiced in his 
profession, and met with some difficult cases, 
which he handled with credit to himself, but 
more and more he felt impelled to study medi- 
cine, so he became a student in the MecHcal Col- 
lege at Louisville, Kentucky, from which insti- 
tution he was graduated as a physician and sur- 
geon in 1885. For six years previous to his 
coming to Elhvood City, he was practicing law 
in Hutchinson, Kansas; upon becoming a citizen 
of Wayne township's metropolis, he purchased 
Che ^lotor, a weekly paper, that was established 
in 1893 by A. L. Weighe, who was succeeded 
as editor and proprietor by John ]\Iellon, the 
immediate predecessor of Dr. Cain. The pres- 
ent proprietor has made it his aim to give the 
people of the vicinity and of neighboring coun- 
ties a readal)le, newsy sheet, which will outline 
the daily occurrences of the preceding week, 
furnish local items of interest, and provide 
bright, clean literature for the home and fireside. 
The circulation of the paper has shown the ef- 
fect that his stimulus had upon it by mounting 
in two years from 475 to 1,000 copies; the size 
of the pai)er has been enlarged to meet the de- 
mands from a five-column sheet to a si.x-colunm 
paper. The Motor advocates the best of Repub- 
lican doctrines, and is conducted in a spirited 



manner, as Dr. Cain had considerable experience 
in political life, and needs no instruction how to 
wield his lance, or where to direct the attack. 
He is a fluent, ready speaker, a gift that was per- 
fected by his experience at the bar, and stumped 
Western Pennsylvania and Ohio in the exciting 
campaign of 1896, proving of great assistance 
to the party. 

Dr. Cain iias an extensive mend:)ership in fra- 
ternal brotherhoods. He belongs to the Legion 
of Honor, Protected Home Circle, and the Ju- 
nior Order of United American Mechanics. In 
Indiana he became a Mason. He is a member 
of the L O. O. F., and of the Knights of Pythias, 
in each of which orders he is a Past Grand. 
Dr. Cain was united in the holy bonds of mat- 
rimony with Ouintella J. Wile}-, daughter of 
Samuel Wiley of Sharon, ( )hio, and Dr. and 
}^Irs. Cain are the proud and happy parents of 
five children. Carl D. is his father's assistant in 
the Motor ofifice; Wiley M. lived for the brief 
space of nineteen months to gladden the home; 
James C. is a clerk in the office of the Hartman 
Manufacturing Co. of Ellvvood City; Wilbur G. 
passed away at the age of nine months; and Jo 
sephine B., who is cherished as the only daugh- 
ter. 



MRS. ELZEDDA CO\'ER,* a lady who has 
passed through many varied circumstances of 
life, is tlie widow of the late Hiram Cover, and 
a woman whose personality and agreeable traits 
are known to a large circle of friends and well- 
wishers about her home in Edenburg, iMahoning 
township, this county. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



(i43 



Hiram Cover, the beloved husband of the 
subject of our sketch, was in his hfetinie a man 
of influence and tried uprightness. He was a 
son of Jacob and Lydia Cover, and belonged to 
a family which had much to do with shaping the 
earlier history of this section. 

Jacob Cover was by occupation a farmer. He 
settled in Mahoning township in 1841, where 
he bought a farm of 118 acres, and on this place 
he remained until 1865. In addition to this 
property he owned a farm in Pulaski township, 
one in Slippery Rock township, and still an- 
other in Douglas Co., Kansas, which farms he 
usually rented. In 1865 he removed to Poland. 
Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his active 
life. Besides being an e.xtensive land-owner, he 
was a heavy dealer in and shipper of sheep, cat- 
tle, horses, etc. His wife, the mother of Hiram, 
was a Miss Lydia Robb. I lis decease occurred 
Jan. 8, 1882, when he was aged seventy-seven 
years; his wife passed away May 15, 1891, aged 
eighty-five years. 

Hiram Cover was born in .Mahoning town- 
ship in 1836. He settled on a farm of his fath- 
er's, whicii was called the Welsh place, and there 
spent his life, engaged in general fanning. Be- 
coming owner of the place, he inaugurated and 
brought to perfection many great improvements. 
He had a high ideal of what a well-kept farm 
should be, and his farm came very near being 
a model of e-xccllence. The house was enlarged 
and tastefully remodeled, outer buildings recon- 
structed, fine orchards set out, waste land re- 
claimed and brought under cultivation, and a 
hundred and one other things done, which re- 
quired constant effort, but which all tended to 
rendering the estate more productive, and to in- 



creasing its value. A coal bank was found on 
the place and opened, and the wliole place man- 
aged with a view of developing each latent re- 
source to the best advantage. In business mat- 
ters Hiram Cover was in every instance a man 
t(j be relied on. He was strict and careful in 
his accounts, insisting on his rights, and accord- 
ing to others what was justly their own. He 
was above all things a just man, and broad and 
fair in all his dealings. As a result of such 
characteristics success came to him, and at the 
same time the high res])ect and esteem of all who 
knew him. His sudden cleath, which came to 
him through blood poisoning from what seemed 
a very trifling hurt to his arm, was deeply de- 
plored by all the community. He was taken 
to his heavenly home April 4, 1895, after a very 
brief illness. He was in political matters af- 
filiated witii the Republican partv. and in church 
affairs was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

Mrs. Cover, our subject, was a daughter of 
good and respectable parents, Peter and Sarah 
(Cox) ShoafF. Her ])aternal great-grandparents 
were Peter and Catherine (Mink) ShoafF, who 
came into Ohio from a point near I'.altimore, 
Md. Peter Shoaf?, the elder, was a miller by 
occupation and lived to be seventy-five years 
old. He was twice married, and the children 
by iiis first wife were: Jacob: William; Katie; 
Peggie: Annie: and Elizabeth. 

Jacob Slioaft, our subject's grandfather, was a 
miller and farmer of Shenango township. His 
wife was Catherine Cameron, by w^hom he had 
six ciiildrcn — Betsey, Peter, Thomas, Jacob, An- 
nie, and James. Of these children Peter was 
the father of Mrs. Cover. He came into the 



644 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LA WRENCE COUNTY. 



world in ] December, 1807, on a farm in Mahon- the comforter and caretaker of her beloved 
ing township. During the years of his early mother. Mrs. Cover is now in a period of life 
manhood he worked at shoeniaking, but in 1834 that permits her to look backward over the long 
he boug'ht the William Cox farm of seventy-five road she has traveled. Time and experience 
acres in Union ttiwnship; on this place, which have been her teachers, and she is in a position 
is improved with many new buildings, he now to give the best of counsel to a rising genera- 
resides at a hale and hearty old age. He wed- ticjn. She is of a very kindly disposition, and 
ded SaraJi Cox, daughter of William Cox, and her gentle ways come from a heart full of genu- 
to them a faniilv of eight children were given, as ine regard for all those whose privilege it is to 
follows: Elzedda; Hester Ann; William S. ; 
James S. ; Revilla; Sanuiel C. ; Leander; and 
Warren L. The kind of a constitution which 
the Shoaff family possess is vividly sliown, when 
it is stated that Mr. Sboaff, at the age of ninety 
years, can iiitch up his horse, drive to the city 
and transact lousiness; this is generally a weekly 
occurrence, for he is undeterred except by dis- 
agrreeable weather. His faithful wife was taken 



belong to ber wide circle of friends and ac- 
(luaintances. 



J. LESLIE MYLAND* is the leading baker 
and confectioner of the city of New Castle, wi'th 
place of lousiness and residence at Nos. 9 and 11 
South Mercer Street. He was born in Cleve- 
from him when she was eighty-seven years of land, Ohio, April 2, 1861, and was a son of Will-, 
age. iam and Sarah Myland. The mother died re- 

Mrs. Cover was wedded to her husband when cemtly aged seventy-five years. William Myland 
both were in the first flush of young manhood was a painter by trade, liaving served his appren- 
and womanhood. All through bis thrifty life she ticeship in England; he emigrated from England 
stood faithfully by his side, and was all that a to Canada, and moved thence to Cleveland, 
true wife should jje. His hardships were hers, where he died in 1877. 



and when prosperity came she accepted it as a 
good woman ought to. Five children blessed 
their home, of whom four are alive and fulfilling 
well their all(.)tted destinies. They are 1)\' name: 
Bion Willis; Leon O.; Isa May; and Zella Crrace. 
llion Willis, the eldest of the family, was joined 
in marriage wifh Elizabeth Smith, and resides 
in Edenburg; their family consists of: Bessie; 
Fare; Ruby; and Guy. Leon (J. married and 
resides on the adjoining farm. Isa May became 
the wife of Mr. G. Matthews and has a family of 
four children. Zella Grace is at home, and is 



(Jur subject was reared in Cleveland and at- 
tended the schools of that city until fifteen years 
of age, and then finished his education in Ober- 
lin College, from which he graduated and re- 
ceived his diploma and degree in 1879. ^^"^ '^^' 
ledo, Ohio, he learned telegraphy, and as a tele- 
graph operator was stationed at various times at 
London, Out., Toronto, Winnipeg. Kingston, 
Ottawa, Hamilton. St. Thomas. Detroit. New 
Orleans. Frankfort. Cincinnati. Philatlelphia. 
Knox\nlle, Austin, New York, Rockwell City, 
Lt.. Davenport, (ireat Forks, S. D., Minneapo- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 645 

lis, Dukitii, and St. Lx)iiis. After coming to New THOMAS J. FULMER,* who is engaged 

Ca&tle he met an<l married on October 22, 1888, in manufacturing brick in Elhvood City, Pa., 

Mrs. Maggie Wright, widow of Charles Wright, and who is considered one of the foremost citi- 

who was the proprietor of a small bakery, which zens of Wayne township, Lawrence County, 

employed but one helper. The bakery, thus was born Jan. 12, 1856, at Pittsburg, Pa. He 

coming into Mr. Myland's hands, has under his is a son of respected and honored parents, Robert 

skilful and energetic management grown to sucli and Martha J. (Susanna) Fulmer. Our subject's 

an extent, and .so large a business and patron- father was a merchant of Johnstown, Pa., but 

age lias been developed, that it now requires five later in life moved to East Pittsburg, where his 

bakers to make up the daily product and five death took ])lace. 

drivers and wagons to deliver it. When Mr. The subject of this writing began when he 
Myland began supervising the work there was a was very young to make his way in the world, 
demand for only from twenty-five to thirty loaves and found his first employment as a clerk for a 
a day, and only that many were produced; now, merchant, after whicli he spent considerable 
from twelve to thirteen hundred loaves of bread time in Colorado and Kansas. In 1892 he 
are baked daily. A great deal of shipping is liought five acres of the Elijah G. Matheny farm, 
done, and eight or ten of the surrounding towns which was a part of the Nye estate; this prop- 
are largely supplied with bakery gootls. The erty has been under cultivation for a longer pe- 
product of the bakery is quite varied, consisting riod than many other of the farms of the town- 
of thirteen varieties of bread, and of over one shi]). Mr. I-\dmer. having thoroughly tested 
hundred varieties of cake. In addition to the the adaptability of the soil, found it perfectly 
bakery proper and the select line of confection- suitable 'for brick manufacturing, and at once 
ery, Mr. Myland carries a large stock of fine entered upon his plan to establish a brick-yard 
groceries. of large dimensions. He built a kiln and man- 
Mr. and Mrs. Myland have had two chihlren; ufactured brick for building and sidewalk pur- 
the eldest died in infancy, unnamed; the second, poses; the business offered such inducements to 
Carl Wesley, is the pet and joy of the house- capital, that in 1892 tlie Ellwood Brick Co., Lim- 
hold. Of Mrs. Myland's first marriage with ited, was organized, and the business has since 
Charles Wright, one child was born, Laura Edna been conducted under that name. In addition 
Wrigjn. In politics Mr. Myland is a strong Re- to the manufacturing and dealing in brick, the 
publican. He is a popular man and 'has never Ellwood Brick Co., Ltd., deals in coal, hand- 
suffered for lack of friends. Sociallv, he is a ling the following popular varieties: Youg'hiogh- 
member of a number of organizations, such as eny Gas, Beaver Valley and Anthracite. The 
Knights of Pythias, Fidelis Lodge No. 460, of kiln turns out 300,000 brick per year, and large 
which he is a tnistee; Royal Arcanum; K. O. shipments of this product are sent to outside 
T. M.; Royal Templars: Sons of Temperance: markets, although Ellwood City has liberally pa- 
and of the I. O. O l-". tronizcd the industry, and most of the buildings 



640 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

in the place are formed fruni this native product, and which would Jiave proven so valuable in this 
The material is excellent and of the best, with connection. He was reared and cared for by an 
a supi)lv that is almost unlimited, consequently uncle, who did the best he could for the homeless 
the company is able to make bricks of superior orphan until the lad was able to nrake his own 
quality and fill the largest orders. way. Arriving at a suitable age he learned the 
Mr. Fulnier purchased two lots on Spring carpenter's trade in Pittsburg, and followed it 
Avenue in 1894 and erected two brick dwelling- tliroughout die years that he spent in that 
houses, and in addition has two vacant lots ad- city. On removing to Majhoningtown in 
joining. He served three years as secretary of 1871, he took up the pursuit of farming 
the school board, and is noted for his thorough and continued to follow it successfully and 
interest in the growth and development of the with ])rofit until his death in New Cas- 
city in every way possible. ?tlr. Fulmer chose tie in 1892. In the family of our sub- 
Miss Nellie Early to share his lot in life, and he ject's parents there were eight children, the foi- 
ls to-day one of those enterprising men worth lowing six of whom survive: Jane, who married 
knowing, wlio have Ijy their own efiforts sue- Christopher Hoover of New Castle; Margiaret, 
ceeded to comfortable ami easy circumstances. who married Charles Stapf of Wampum; i\Iar- 
Mr. I'Tdmer is considered one of the best citizens tha; Alexander H. ttf New Castle; Mary, who 
of hiis community, and is conscientiously filling married Joseph Mehard; and William H., the 
all the duties of a kind neighbor. young man whose name beads this sketcih. 

William W. Buchanan was five years ol age 
when the family moved to the farm in North 
Beaver township, near Mahoningtovvn, and con- 
sequently his recollections do not extend back 
WILLIAM H. BUCHANAN,* a popular to the home in Pittsburg to any great extent; 
young man of Mahoningtown, well thought of ,he went to school in the district school, in the 
in railroad circles, being at present the station borough schools of Mahoningtown, and finished 
agent at Lawrence Junction, was born in Alle- his education wioh a course at the high school in 
gheny City, Pa., Alay 11. 1866, and is a son of New Castle. In 1888 Mr. Buchanan began his 
Andrew W. and Saraih (Highlands) Buchanan, railroad life in the telegraph office, and since 
the latter a native of Perrysville, Pa., and a that time his rise has been regular and sure, 
daug'hter of Robert Highlands of Scotch When he was t*horoughly qualified he was as- 
descenit. Andrew Buchanan was born in Alle- signed to the yard office at Lawrence Junction, 
gheny Co., Pa. His parents both died when he w-here he remained until August, 1893, wtlien 
was quite \'Oung, and threw him on his own re- he was promoted to the station agency at Law- 
sources, at the same time practically depriving rence Junction, a po.sition he is still filling with 
him of the knowledge of the ancestry of the fam- satisfaction to his employers. Being reliable and 
ily, wdiich he would have otherwise possessed, steady, quick to learn and prompt to act, it is 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



647 



only a question of time, or w'hen a vacancy oc- 
curs, for him to receive the due recognition for 
his services in the interest of the company. 

Mr. Buchanan is an enthusiastic devotee of 
the wiheel, and employs his spare time in taking 
trips on the excellent roads of the county, storing 
up energy and health, which are so necessary for 
complete business success. The Presbjlerian 
Church has the good fortune to number him 
among its members, for he is an earnest worker 
in every legitimate line of action. He is a mem 
ber of the Pythian Order, affiliating with Ama- 
zon Lodge, Xo. 336, of Malioningtown. 



HIRAM C. SHIRA,* a respected citizen of 
Mahoningtown, is a trusted and efficient em- 
ployee of the Pcnn.sylvania R. R., serving that 
company as its car inspector at Lawrence Junc- 
tion. He was born in Butler Co.. Pa., Nov. 14, 
i860, and is a son of Robert C. and Mary A. 
(McCoy) Shira, to whom were born four chil- 
dren: William McC, deceased; Theodore McA.; 
.Alfred C. : and Hiram C. 

Robert C. Shira was born in Parker township, 
Butler Co., Pa., May 4, 1824, and during the 
War of the Rebellion helped to supf)ort the flag 
of the Union. He is a Republican, politically. 
His wife was born in Harrisvillc, Pa., and was a 
daughter of Hon. Hiram C. McCoy, who mar- 
ried a Miss -McCallen. Hiram C. McCoy served 
in the State Legislature of Pennsylvania, and left 
a creditable- record, untarnished and unstained 
by any disreputable act. His father, Thomas 
McCoy, was born at Harper's Ferry, Va., of Irish 



parentage, his father having been born on the 
"ould sod." 

The subject of this biography lived in Butler 
County the first seven years of his life, and tlien 
the family moved to Xew Castle, where he at- 
tended the schools till the age of si.xteen. When 
eighteen years old, he worked in a meat market, 
located on the south side of \Vashington Street, 
for two years, and in the following year went to 
Cleveland, Ohio, where he labored at the carpen- 
ter's trade, working the two succeeding years 
for the W^ N. Y. & P. R. R. in the bridge and 
construction department. From that time until 
1884 he served as car inspector for that company 
at Stoneboro, Mercer County, this State. He 
then resigned, came to New Castle, and served 
in the same capacity for the P. & W. R. R. for 
the space of a year, after wfliich he again en- 
tered the employ of the W. N. V. & P. R. R., and 
worked for that company as car inspector in the 
yards at New Castle until Jan. 22, 1888, when 
he accepted a position as car inspector for the 
Pennsylvania R. R. at Mahoningtown, \\4iere he 
is pleasantly located at present. 

Mr. Shira was married at Sandy Lake, Mercer 
Co., Pa., Oct. II, 1884, to Agnes Spence, who 
was born near Ahoghill, County Antrim, Ire- 
land, one of ten children born to her parents, of 
whom the following four survive: Agnes (Mrs. 
Shira); John; Isabel; and Thomas. Her father, 
\\illiam Spence, came to America in 1866, and 
the family followed a year later; his death oc- 
curred Dec. 2^, 1892, at the age of forty-eight 
years. He was a business man, and lived first 
in Hovldale, where he kept store many years. 
His parents were John and Isabel Spence. Mrs. 
Shira's mother was Agnes Craig, daughter of 



648 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, 



Tlionias and Agnes (Campbell) Craig. To ]\[r. 
and Airs. Shira have l^een born three children: 
Lucy F., whO' ilied Jan. 2. 1894, at the age of 
eight years, five niontihs and eleven davs; Lee 
L. ; and an infant, son, deceased. Mr. ami Mrs. 
Shira are members of the Presbyterian Church. 
( )ur subject is a Republican in regard to ;his po- 
litical principles, and has served two years in the 
boroug'h council of M'alioningtown. 



JOHN F. PITTS,* the well-known and pap- 
ular postmaster of Mt. Jackson, and a mem- 
Ijer of the firm of Pitts Brothers & jMiller, manu- 
facturers of wagons, carriages, etc., is one of the 
leading men of this part of the Keystone State. 
He first saw the light of day in North Beaver 
township Feb. 8, 1852. His ])arents were Daniel 
and Susan (Miller) Pitts. 

John F. Pitts comes from true [lioneer stock. 
His great-grandfather, Michael Pitts, was boni 
in g'ood old Berks Co., Pa., lived for a time in 
Lancaster County, and came into North Beaver 
township among the very first of the white set- 
tlers. He selected a spot in the western part of 
North Beaver township, a locality in which his 
descendants have ever since been the leading 
landowners. With his family this hardy pioneer 
cam|)cd diiwn in the wilderness, took up three 
liundred acres of land, and with his own strong 
arm and trusty ax proceeded to build himself a 
home of rough logs ; here he lived to a good old 
age, leaving when he ceased this life four worthy 
sons, Michael, William, John, and David, to per- 
petuate his good name. Of these sons, John 
was the grandfather of the subject of this article. 



LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Ji.)hn Pitts was born in Lancaster County but 
came into this section with his father. He set- 
tled and cleared a good farm near Zion Churdi 
in North Beaver township in 1789, wedding a 
Miss Annie Painter. By saving and thrifty 
methods Jie became the owner of over three hun- 
dred acres of land, and was known on all sides 
as a sturdy, upright and valuable citizen. He 
died at the age of seventy-eight years, his wife 
surviving his departure but a short time. Eight 
children were l)orn to them, all but two of whom 
lived to be adults, and were named: Adam, Da- 
vid, Jo'hn, Annie, Catherine, and Daniel. The 
latter was the father of Jcvhn F. Pitts. 

Daniel Pitts was born in North Beaver town- 
ship at the same place where the subject of our 
sketch later came into the world. He early 
learned the blacksmithing trade, whicli he ad- 
vantageously followed the greater part of his 
life. He was also an expert butcher and his ser- 
vices were in great demand all over the town- 
ship. To this day the old shoi) grounds show 
the marks of his steady industry, and mutely tes- 
tify how hard he labored to perfonu faithfully 
and well whatever it fell to his lot to do. He 
was married to Susan Miller, with whom he lived 
happily until death claimed him in 1865. The 
widow^ still survives him, living at the old home- 
stead. They gathered about them this family of 
children: John F. : Samantha Jane, now de- 
ceased; Alfred, who is on the hoiue farm; Cath- 
erine, deceased; Lewis H., now in business with 
John I'".; and Alary Eliza, deceased. 

Jolin F. Pitts received his early educational 
training in the Martin School. In 1870 he be- 
gan to learn carriage-building and wood-work- 
ing at Canfield, ( )hio; he spent three years there, 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



t;49 



serving out his apprenticeship. On his retiini 
liome in 1873 lie boug-ht out the business of D. 
I. Hill at Mt. Jackson, secured the old school- 
house, wlxich was earlier used as a church, raised 
it and placed a basement underneath. He tlien 
began on cjuite a large scale tlie manufacture of 
lumber and heavy wagons, trucks, drays and car- 
riages. He continued to conduct the fast in- 
creasing and developing business until 1887, 
when his brother Lewis H. became associated 
with him. In 1890 .Mr. ( ). L. Miller was admit- 
ted to the firm, and the present style of I'itts 
Brothers & Miller adopted. Besides running an 
extensive manufacturing and repair business, 
this enteqjrising firm handles a (ull line of farm- 
ing implements. By fair dealing and upright 
methods from the very inception of the enter- 
prise an interest bas been built up that is second 
to none in volume in this section. They employ 
several men during their busy seasons. 

The subject of our article owns and occupies 
a fine residence, which is located on the site 
wihere Mr. Henry built the first house erected in 
Mr. Jackson. Besides his heavy lousiness inter- 
ests, Mr. Pitts owns a great deal of other prop- 
erty, and is held in high esteem as one of Mt. 
Jackson's responsible men. The wife of our sub- 
ject was a Miss Louise Mollenkopf, a daughter 
of Daniel Mollenkopf of Xorth Beaver township; 
six children have resulted from this marriage: 
Rena, Hattie, Laura, Warren, Harrison, and 
William. Mr. Pitts is a man of wide experience 
and broad attainments. He finds time to look 
after his business enterprises, and to look after 
other affairs that concern him, political, social 
and religious. He has always been an earnest 
adherent of the principles of the Republican 



party, and has held many local offices in tJic gift 
of his fellow-townsmen. In the councils of his 
party he is prominent and infiuential. As a trib- 
ute to his reliability and high standing Jie was 
recently appointed to the postmastership of Mt. 
Jackson, an office he is conducting to the satis- 
faction of all. He is an active member of the 
Knights of Pythias, and is a past chancellor of 
the same. In religious matters Mr. Pitts's prin- 
ciples are in accord with tlie rules of life laid 
down by the Metlhodist Episcopal CliurcJi. Fair- 
minded, well-posted on all matters, upright in 
all things, Mr. Pitts is a citizen whose name 
stanils at all times for what is best and noblest. 



KDWIN" D. MOORE,* a leading jeweler of 
the city of Xew Castle, was born in the above 
place. He was brought up and educated in Xew 
Castle, and at the age of eighteen started for 
himself, serving an apprenticeship as a jeweler; 
he was soon a competent workman, and, posses- 
sing considerable means, he opened a jewelrv 
store in Xew Castle, and now occupies a store 
at the corner of Xorth Mercer and Bast Falls 
streets. Pleasant and engaging in his manners, 
and a general favorite because of his honorable 
and liberal way of dealing with all of his cus- 
tomers, he has built up a large and flourishing 
trade. 

Viwr subject is a son of Jacob B. Moore, 
grandson of Adam Moore, and great-grandson 
of John Moore. Adam Moore followed the pur- 
suits of agriculture for a livelihood. He married 
Elizabeth Book; his death took place at the age 
of thirtv-five: his widow survived him manv 



650 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



years, being finally laid to rest at the age of 
sixty-five. Their children were: John R.; Jes- 
sie; Jacob B.; Adam, Jr.; and Leander. 

Jacob Moore was a nailer by trade and fol- 
lowed the same in the nail mills of New Castle 
much of his life. He married Jemima Cotton, 
and the dhildren born to them were; Eva A. 
(Brown); Edwin D., our subject; Lucy M. 
(Thalimer); Alfred C; and Howard F., de- 
ceased. The family were Presbyterians in their 
religious belief, and our subject's father was a 
Republican politically. 

Edwin D. Moore married, in 1882, Lizzie 
Armstrong, daughter of J. H. Armstrong of 
New Castle. Our subject is a member of a local 
lodge F. & A. M., and also belongs to the 
Knights of Pythias organization. The family 
are firm in their attachment to the Presbyterian 
Church. 



LI'DWIG DACH,'^' formerly a prominent 
business man of Sharon, Pa., with interests of 
an important nature still located there, but now 
a citizen of New Castle, Pa., where he is engaged 
in the meat business on Washington Street, was 
born in Germany Nov. 24, 1842, and is a son of 
Qement and Elizabeth (Hengle) Dach, both of 
whom were born in Germany and lived there 
many years of their lives. 

Clement Dach came to the United States in 
1844, and settled in ]\lcKeesport, Pa., wjthere he 
remained until 1849, when he removed to Shar- 
on, Pa., where he resided up to the time of his 
death. He was a butcher by trade, having 



learned it in t'he Old Country, but on coming to 
this land he engaged in work as a coal miner 
until 1864 when he resumed liis original trade, 
and kept a meat shop until 1889, when he died, 
aged seventy-nine years. He was very success- 
ful in his ventures, and knowing well tlie secret 
of accumulating wealth, he became known as a 
prosperous tradesman. He was a stanch Demo- 
crat, politically. To him and his wife were born 
nine children, of whom only three are living: 
Ludwig, our subject; Bulgaria, who became the 
wife of FeHx Haf^ey of Indiana; and Mary, who 
married Nicholas Klaser. They were faithful 
conmuniicants of the Catholic Church. Our sub- 
ject's mother lived to be sixty-nine years old, 
departing this life in 1883. 

Our subject's education was obtained in the 
schools of Hickory tOAvnship, and the early years 
of his manhood were spent in the coal mines. 
Later in life he learned the butcher's trade in his 
father's shop, and has followed that hne of busi- 
ness steadilv and successfully ever since. He 
kept a meat market in Hickory township, this 
county, fifteen years, and one in Sharon, Pa., 
for fifteen years, which market he still runs, his 
son Frank 'having it in charge. Mr. Dach con- 
ducts the business himself in his New Castle 
meat market. 

In 1867 Mr. Dach was married to Margaret 
Seigler of Sharon, Pa., and to them have been 
given eight children, as follows: Elizabeth, who 
married Michael Snydenwind of Sharon, Pa., 
and thev have four children, (.)llie, IMike, Mary, 
and Charlie: Mary, the wife of Jolm Weisen of 
Sharon, Pa., who has borne her husband one 
child, Ludwig; Clement, who married Mary 
Zimmer of Sharon, and has one child, Ludwig; 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



651 



Annie, who married John Knapp of Sharon, Pa., 
and 'has two children, Ludwig and Teressa; 
Frank; Katherine, who married Lewis Houk of 
Sliaron, Pa.; Margaret; and Teressa. Mr. Dach 
belongs to the Sharxan Lodge of the Protected 
Home Circle. He is a Catholic in his religious 
views and attachments. 



J.VMES F. STEWART,* a model farmer and 
one of the most progressive men of North Bea- 
ver township, was ushered into this world Oct. 
13, 1832, at a point in Liberty township, Trum- 
bull Co., Ohio. He was a son of Robert and 
Rebecca (.McClellan) Stewart. 

Robert Stewart, the father, spent his earlier 
days in Huntingdon Co. Pa., where he was born. 
He later removed to the then far west and car- 
ried on farming in Illinois and Ohio; accumu- 
lating means he purchased the Poland Mills of 
Poland, Ohio, which he conducted with success 
until retirement from active business. He then 
settled at Brookfield, Ohio, where he died, aged 
eighty-four years. His faithful wife reached 
about the same age. Their children were: John 
E., now a well-known physician ; Mary K. ; Will- 
iam A.; Jane; Robert M.; Rebecca E.; Cepilias 
M.; James F.; Allan G.; Ellen Amanda: and Sa- 
rah L. 

James F. Ste^va^t received a good education 
and took a course in dentistry; this profession 
he followed with success for several years, prac- 
ticing at points mainly in Illinois and Ohio. 
About this time there began to be wonderful de- 
velopments in the photographers' art. Mr. 
Stewart, always drawn bv anything of a techni- 



cal nature, became interested in and finally en- 
tered this profession. During the late war he 
spent all of his time in photographic work, mak- 
ing a specialty of military pictures; thousands of 
photographs, that are preserved and cherished 
to-day of husbands, sons and sweethearts who 
never came back from the war, were the handi- 
work of Mr. Stewart. Many of these pictures, it 
is safe to say, are more prized by their owners 
than their weight in gold. 

In 1S65 Mr. Stewart had saved from his ef- 
forts a comfortable sum, \vith which he came to 
Xorth Beaver township and boug^ht the Marshall 
tract of seventy-five acres; this land was almost 
entirely covered with forest and second-growtli 
timber. He began to clear 'his property, and 
from time to time added more land until he is 
to-day the owner of 127 acres of as fine soil as 
the sun shines on. It is all under a high state of 
.cultivation, and is managed according to the best 
modem agricultural methods. In 1891 Mr. 
Stewart put up a new and spacious barn, fitted 
up with all the conveniences and improvements 
a practical mind could suggest; in 1893 a large 
and handsome residence was erected. The orch- 
ards on liis place are worthy of note and com- 
prise apple, plum and peach trees, together witili 
many other fruits, all in full bearing. Such neat- 
ness and painstaking care is employed here that 
a stranger coming in sight of Mr. Stewart's 
abode would think he was approaching some 
summer-resort, where the landscape architect 
had been allowed full sway. It has been a prin- 
ciple of Mr. Stewart's to do well whatever he 
laid iiis hands to. The beautiful estate of which 
he is the master proves that he has lived up to 
his ideal. His farm is well-stocked and he main- 



(552 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



tains a choice dairv of his own, although lie is a Sankey was a son of Ezekiel and Jane (Cubbi- 
patron of and a stockholder in the creamery. A son) Sankey, and Nancy Cox was a daughter of 
portion of his estate, wihidh is underlaid with Josepli Cox. 



limestone, he leases to the Bessemer Limestone 
Co., whose property adjoins his. 

James F. Stewart wedded Miss M. Jane Mar- 
shall, daughter of James Marshall of Xorth Bea- 
ver township. Though three children have been 
born to Mr. ami Mrs. Stewart but one survives. 



John Brown, our subject's father, was born 
near Pulaski in 1859, and died at the early age 
of twentv-eight years. He made a business of 
dealing in horses, shipping them to the eastern 
markets: in politics he was a Republican. His 
parents were Nathan and Rebecca (Willy) 



C. Allan, w'ho at the present writing is a student Brown : the former was a stone-mason by trade, 

at Canfield College in the State o-f Ohio. Of the and died in 1874, aged seventy-five years, 

two who died, James was taken when an infant John D. Brown was reared in Union town- 

and Frank F. at the age of twenty-one years. ."^hip, attending what was known as the Sankey 

Mr. Stewart in poilitics is a Repid^lican. He School until he was eighteen years of age. For 

spends a great amount of time and energy in the next two years he worked on a farm, and 

caring for ihis estate, yet withal he is a man of then for two years was employed in the saw-mill 

affairs. He find's time to keep abreast of modern of Young Bros. During the past seventeen 

thoug'lit and advancement. A'ery little which is years Mr. Brown has owned and operated 



new escapes his keen observation. He is wide- 
awake to the interests of the township. State and 
Nation. He is a member of the Westiield Pres- 
byterian Church, and an upright, consistent, re- 
liable citizen. 



through the summer season a threshing ma- 
chine, with wihich he has traveled over a large 
part of Lawrence County. Since 1892 he has 
l)een dealing very largely in agricultural and 
farm implements, handling some of the most re- 
liable .and standard makes, and is patronized 
very well by such agriculturists as come to New 
Castle for their supplies, because of his wide ac- 
(|uaintance. On Jan. r, 1S97, IMr. Brown opned 
JOHN D. BROWN,* a prominent business a large storage house at 165 Soutii Mill Street, 



man of New Castle, and a dealer in agricultural 
implements, buggies and wagons, fertihzers, etc., 
and also conducting a prosperous transfer and 
storage business, with warehouse located at 165 
South Mill Street, was born in the neighboring 
townsJiip of Union Sept. i, 1859. He is a son 



and entered the draying and hauling business in 
addition to his agricultural implement business, 
and it has proven in its short trial to be a profit- 
able enterprise. 

Mr. Brown was joined in the bonds of mat- 
rimony June 2, 1885, with Olive A. Echols, a 



of John and Esther (Sankey) P)rown: the latter native of Tipton, Missouri, and a daughter of 
was born in Union township, and wa? a daug'h- John Echols, and three children now bless their 
ter of James and Nancy (Cox) Sankey; James home: Archie B.; 'Merrill; and Dwight. Mrs. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 653 

Brown is a member of the Baptist Church, but ment, were brought to a splendid state of pro- 

the family generally attend the United Presby- ductiveness. He lived a long and useful life, at- 

terian Church. Politically, Mr. Brown is a Re- taining the age of ninety-two years. His wife 

publican, and has served on the election board bore 'him these children, who were reared in the 

and the board of education. In tlie community teachings of the Baptist Church: Elizabeth; 

at large he exerts a powerful influence as a su- Margaret; John; Henry; .\m\: Mary; George 

I>erior man of business, and as one who has ever and Daniel, twins; Mercy; and Michael. His po- 

thrown his influence in maintaining a high order litical leanings were toward the Democratic 

of morality in public affairs. party. 

George Jordan, one of the twins, was the 
father of the subject of this writing. He was 
born on the home farm in Washington town- 
ship, and was brought up in pioneer fashion. As 

KINSEY JORDAN,* a representative farmer soon as he was able, he purchased a tract of lOO 

of Lawrence County, and an esteemed resident acres near the ancestral home, which was only 

of Washington township, made up his mind partly improved. Soon he built thereon a house 

early in life that the most honorable as well as and outbuildings, and as time i>assed, by hard 

useful vocation possible for a man to enter was labor, he redeemed the whole place and ren- 

that of agriculture. That he has never changed dered it an estate of which he might well be 

his mind is best evidenced by the fact that he proud. Ditches were put in, waste places made 

still continues to follow his chosen caUing as one productive, good fences set where needed, and 

of the best farmers in his section of the county, all the multiplicity of things which take the time 

He was born in Washington township Oct. 22, of the good farmer were in turn attended to. On 

1833. Mr. Jordan comes from good old Penn- his perfected property- Mr. Jordan lived to the 

sylvania stock, and from a family of which the good old age of seventy-two years. During life 

various members have been in the habit of doing he was, like his father, a sturdy follower of Jef- 

vvell in life. The founder of the family, Henry fersonian Democracy. In religious lines he fa> 

Jordan, the grandfather of our subject, was born vored the teachings of the P.aptist denomination, 

in Germany, but came, when a young man, into To him and his wife, who was a Miss Prudence 

Washington township, and out of the wilder- Daniels, nine children were given, named in or- 

ness made a home for himself and succeeding der as follows: Elizabeth; Mary; Susan; Sarah; 

generations. The best prosperity those days George; Henry; Kinsey, our subject; and 

could give fell to his lot, and he became a solid John V. 

and well-to-do citizen of his chosen section. A Kinsey Jordan, of whom this sketch is written, 

home, at the time one of the best in the town- obtained his education in the schools of his na- 

ship, he erected on his estate, and his broad tive town. .After his school days were over he 

acres, by incessant toil and excellent manage- worked on tlie home place for several years. 



654 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

Then his father bought for him the farm of loo ings of the Baptist Church, and are regular at- 

acres where he now lives. The fine house and tendants. Our subject is a good citizen in every 

barns, which stand on this property, are marks sense of the word as well as a good farmer. For 

of his own industry. When ]\Ir. Jordan came to two years he faithfully filled t'he office of asses- 

this place ihe found it only partly cleared. He sor, and has been called upon many times by his 

completed the task; in time set out extensive appreciative townsmen to perform duties of a 

orchards, which are to-day in excellent bearing; public nature. He is a believer in education, is 

and in every way possible toiled to make bis por- in touch with modern progress, and is on all 

tion of this green eartli worthy of its surround- matters a thoughtful and considerate gentleman, 

ings and its master. Raising of fine stock has C)f his chosen calling he has made a uniform 

been a specialtv with him, and his pastures have success, and is now reaping the justly earned 

time and again contained some of the best rewards of a life well spent, 
herds to be seen in many a days' journey. Sheep 

and swine of fancy anil standard lireeds, and ^^^.^,-^». 

Clydesdale horses liave been his most successful 

ventures. He has a small though well-con- HON. ROBERT A. TODD.* This promi- 

ducted dairy. nent and pubHc-spirited citizen of Elhvood City, 

Mrs. Elizabeth (Orr) Jordan, our subject's Lawrence Coumty, has charge, as agent of the 
wife, was a daug'hter of John C)rr, a native of Pittsburg Co., of the largest and Ijest-defined 
Mercer Co., Pa. As a result of this marriage real estate business in the county. He stands 
six children have come into the world, and they hig-h in the estimation of his fellow-townsmen, 
are all living with one exception. They were and luerits the highest words of praise for his 
l)i)rn in the following order: Mary Ella; James labors in behalf of Elhvood City. In the spring 
^I.; Margaret Jane; WilHam J.; Prudence J., rrf 1891 he became a resident oi this enterprising 
and George H. Mary Ella, the eldest, is the wife and wide-awake borough as assistant manager 
of James Collins. James M. married Dora Sea- of the Pittsburg Co., and rendered valuable ser- 
ton. Margaret Jane was the wife of Willis Dean, vice in the opening and laying out of the present 
but died, leaving one child, Mamie F. William borough. In 1892 he took charge of the real 
J. is wedded to Anna Yaseloer and is the father estate for the same company, and still serves 
of one child, Harry. Prudence is single, and is them in the same capacity. In 1892 he was 
working in Rhodes' store in New Castle; she is a elected the first justice of the peace of Elhvood 
graduate of Volant Business College, (ieorge City on the Republican ticket and held that po- 
H. is now at home; he has attended the same sition for the space of one year, when he re- 
business college as his sister Prudence. signed in favor of J. J. Kelley, the present able 

Mr. Jordan, following out the traditions of the incumbent of that oflice. In 1896 he was elected 
family, is a devoted adherent of the Democratic to represent Lawrence County in the State As- 
party. His fanrily has been raised in the teach- sembly for the year 1897. On his own account 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPIUES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 655 

he is largely interested in real estate, owning at The father of our subject, also Rohert Todd 
present four fine dwellings in the western part by name, received his education and was reared 
of Elhvood City, in addition to his own elegant in his native town in Berks Co., Pa. His fond- 
residence on Pittsburg Circle. ness for figures led him to adopt the occupation 
Air. Todd was educated in the common of a bookkeeper, and that vocation claimed all 
schools of I'Yeedom township. Pdair Co., Pa., the active years of his life. He was considered 
where he was born April i8, 1861. His prelimi- to be an e.\]iert in Iiis line, whose equal could 
nary education completed, he took a course in not easily be fouml. His capacity for work was 
Prof. Stewart's Academy of Hollidaysburg, Pa. truly extraordinary, and in this respect his son is 
He then drove a delivery wagon for William his worthy successor. His business ability was far 
Anderson of Ea.st Freedom for a num1)er of above the average, and was kept in proper paths 
years, in which time he had saved (|uite a neat bv the strictest [)rinciples of integrity. He was 
little sum of money that enabled him to make a originalh' a \\"hig in his political belief and at- 
start in business for himself. With his half- tachmcnts, but later in life he transferred liis al- 
brother, I. C. Adam of East Freedom, he con- legiance to the Democratic party, and held the 
tracted to break ballast for the Pennsylvania Federal office of postmaster in Roaring Spring, 
Co.'s road-bed between Roaring Spring and the P.lair Co., Pa., and also in Ea.st Freedom of the 
Bloomfield Mines, a distance of five miles: the same county he was similarly honored. He was a 
tAvo young men were very successful in their well-educated man, chicHy so through liis own 
venture, and each cleared a handsome sum of exertions and tastes, and held the esteem and 
money in rotttrn for their pains and lalxjrs. He respect of all who knew liim, for although he 
then engaged w-ith the Rodman Furnace Com- was very decided in his opinions he was ever a 
pany, with whom he remained about one year, gentleman in the expression of them. He mar- 
being located at Rodman, Blair Co., Pa. After ried Henrietta Hannnond, a daughter of Joshua 
this he turned his attention to agricultural pur- Hanmiond, a prominent and respected forgeman 
suits on the home farm, where he remained four of Freedom town.ship, Blair Co., Pa. l-'our chil- 
years. His next employment was as shipping- dren were born of this union, who were as fol- 
clerk for the Hollidaysburg Nail & Iron Co.; lows: Robert A., our subject; Andrew J., an 
two years marked his connection with this com- agent of the Singer Sewing Machine Co., with 
pany, and he then went to lieaver l-"alls, and be- headquarters at Altoona, Pa., who married Mat- 
came shipping clerk for the Hartman Steel Co. tie Pierce of Altoona; N'ettie M., who married 
After being in their employ in Beaver Falls tW'O James Morse of Beaver I'alls, Pa., and has one 
years, he represented the 'house in the southwest, child living, Russell; and one who died in in- 
with headquarters at Kansas City, for two years, fancy. In his religious belief our subject's father 
and then returned to Pennsylvania to take the was a Presbyterian and held office without a 
position of assistant manager of the Pittsburg break for a long term of years in the church as 
Co. at Ellwood City. trustee. He died May 17, 1868, aged si.xty-four 



656 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

years. Mrs. Todd still survives, and is living mother, John Johnson, Sr., was a prosperous 

and enjoying fairly good health at the home in farmer of Pennsylvania, of which State he was a 

Freedom townshi]), lUair County. native. Her father, John JoJuison, Jr., was 

Sociallv, Hon. Robert A. Todd is a Mason, born and raised on the homestead in Alercer 

and belongs to ElKvood Lodge No. 599, in County, and followed farming and mining for a 

which he is master mason. He is also a mem- livelihood. ( )f his seven children, Jane was the 

I)er of Glen Park Lodge, I. i). O. 1'"., No. 1016, eldest, and George W. the next in order of binth. 

and of the Jr. C). U. A. M., No. 463, Rock Point After her husband's deatb our subject's mother 

Council. On June 7, 1887, he joined himself in returned to Pennsylvania from St. Louis, and 

matrimony with Mary Graham, daughter of Al- lived four years at Hoytdale, where she married 

exander Graham of Beaver Falls, Pa., and to Frank Robinson. From there the family moved 

them have been born two children: Rollin S., to West Middlesex, where our subject, w'ho was 

born Fel). 9, 1891; and (.)ne that did not survive the elder child born to his parents, the younger 

the period of infancy. Mrs. Todd in her relig- being his sister, Myrtle W., lived until seven- 

ious belief is a Methodist, and is a member of teen years of age, attending the schools of that 

the M. E. Church of Ellwood City. place. He then learned the blacksmith's trade, 

at which he worked two years, and then came 

to New Castle, wdiere he worked one year for 

his uncle, George W. Johnson, in his quarries. 

Throughout the following year, he was fireman 

JOHN W. CAIN,* conductor on the Pcnnsyi- on the quarry locomotive. About this time John 

vania R. R., residing at 366 State Street, Neav \V. Cain took a business trip to the west to his 

Castle, was born in St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 2, 1859, native citv and to Belleville, Iowa, and on his 

where he lived the first two years of his Hfe. His return to New- Castle worked for the J. P. Witli- 

grandfatlher, John Cain, came to America from erow Co. two years in their boiler works. He 

Ireland in 1827, and settled in Sugar Grove, then secured employment as l)rakeman on the 

Warren Co., Pa., where he died in 1888, age'd Pennsylvania Co. 's lines, and in one year was ad- 

eigihty-two years; he was engaged in agricultural vanced to t'he post of conductor, which he held 

pursuits during the latter years of his life. His three years. Since August, 1891, he has been 

son, Frederick Cain, came with him to this conn- yard conductor and car inspector for the same 

try in 1827, and followed mining as an occupa company. 

tion: he was killed in a mine accident in the west He was joined in maiTiage Feb. 2, 1886, in 

Jan. 10, 1861. He married Jane Johnson, a sis- New Castle, to Sarah Hammond, daughter of 

ter of (ieorge W. Johnson, one of the leading James and Nancy (Nealey) Hammond; her 

manufacturers and limestone dealers in the coun- father was born in Allegheny Co., Pa., at Woods 

ty, whose sketch appears on another page of this Run, near Pittsburg, and followed the occupa- 

volume. The grandfather of (jur subject's tion of a farmer, living to be 75 or 76 years of 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



657 



age. He was a veteran of the late war, and 
served in Co. I, 140th Reg. Pa. \'ol. Inf., taking 
part in the battles oi Bull Run and Gettysburg. 
Mrs. Cain is a sister of Harvey C. Hammond., a 
yard conductor on the Pennsylvania R. H.. 
whose personal history may be found elsewlierc 
in this volume. Our subject and wife attend the 
M. E. Church. Mr. Cain is a Democrat in his 
political attachments, and is a member of the 
Hrotherhood of Railwav Trainmen. 



for five years, at the end of which period he 
worked in the engine house in the employ of 
the railroad. From June 28, 1887, to May, 1890, 
he was fireman, and since the latter date has 
been engineer. He is well thought of by his 
superiors, and is very popular among liis asso- 
ciates. 

He was married in L'nion townsJiip March 8, 
1882, to Margaret Buchanan, daughter of John- 
son Buchanan, whose wiife was Miss Eliza 
Burns. To Mr. and Mrs. Pitzer have been born 
two children: (iertrude antl ICtliol. Mrs. Pitzer 
is a member of the Presibj^erian Church. ( )ur 
subject is a Republican in his political views, and 
JOSEPH T). PITZER,* an engineer on the a very pronounced and emphatic man in advo- 



railroad, living in Mahoningtown. his birth- 
place, was Ixjrn Oct. i, 1859, and is a son o? 
John D. and Katherine (Glasser) Pitzer. John 
I). Pitzer was born in Ohio, probably about 
1830. Connnencing his life-struggle as a quar- 
ryman, he was for a long time employed as fore- 
man in the quarries near Mahoningtown, and 
finished his career as a farmer: he had previously 
been a boatman on the canal. He was a son of 



eating those principles which he believes to be 
just and rig'ht. He is a member of the V. & A. 
M., Lodge of the Craft. Xo. 433, of New Castle. 



MRS. LIZ7JE AXX PADEX- is a business 
woman of Mahoning township, Lawrence Coun- 



Michael K. Pitzer. who moved to Pike Co., ^lo., ty. who is spoken of wherever she is known with 
and died there. Our subject's mother was born the greatest amount of respect and approval, 
in Wittenberg Germany, and was four or five She is the wido\v of Samuel M. Paden, who was 
years old when she was taken with the rest of in his day a representative citizen and a leading 
the family by her parents to America. She was farmer of Lawrence Co., Pa. 
a daughter of Martin Glasser, who served as a Mr. Paden was a son of the eminent Rev. S. 
soldier under Xapolcon I'onaparte: he lived to K. Paden of Pulaski, a preacher who was cele- 
be eigthty years of age, and passed away at W'ur- brated throughout Western Pennsylvania for his 
temberg, Wayne township, this county. ])ie<ty and learning. Mr. Samuel M. Paden, at 
Joseph D. Pitzer, who was the eldest of six his marriage with the subject of our article, set- 
children, was reared in Mahoningtown, and at- tied down on the old Paden homestead in Pu- 
tcnded private schools until he was eighteen laski township. This farm was one of the very 
years of age. He then worked in the (juarries best in its locality, and on it Mr. Paden success- 



658 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

fully followed general farming for a long term of it; it was a tine place even then, when scarcely 
years. In 1886 he sold the jilace so long his any improvements to speak of had been made, 
home with the intention of retiring from active Level, fertile and weM-watered, Mr. Hawley 
labors; shortly after this, while on a visit in the saw the grand possibilities in store for the per- 
West, he was taken ill with spinal meningitis, son who should intelligently put the resources 
and died at Carbondalc, 111., Ma\- 30, 1886. Mr. of the farm to the proper use. He planted ap- 
I'aden was thought very much of by a large cir- pie seeds brought from England, and from these 
cle of friends, and hi'S death in a distant part of sprung the orchards which are so much in evi- 
the countrv was mourned l)y all. He was at all dence on the estate to-day. The place is now 
times very active and energetic in all the afifairs owned by his son Jo'hn, the father of Mrs. Paden. 
of life, social or otherwise. In politics he was Matthew Hawley scarcely lived to witness the re- 
an enthusiastic Proliibibionist. Two children suits of his work, for he died, four years after 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. I'aden, and they are; settling on his new farm, at the age of fifty-six. 
Cora May and Foster Spurgeon. His wife lived until her sixty-fifth year. The 
Mrs. Paden conies from rugged English stock, children were named: Matthias, wdio died in 
Her father, }o\\\\ Hawley of Mahoning town- youth; Thomas; John; James; Joseph; William, 
ship, was born near Herefordshire, England, vvho was taken home in childhood; George; 
Jan. 5, 1827, and was brought to America when Elizabeth; Anuie, who died at the age of sixteen; 
a lad of fourteen by his father, Matthew Haw- and Maria. O-f these, John, Mrs. Paden's father, 
ley. The latter was a son of Matthew and Eliza- remained with his mother after Iiis father's de- 
beth (Pitt) Hawley. Matthew Hawley, the se- mise, and assisted in rearing the large family, 
nior, was a Initcher by trade and lived in the He bought out the other heirs to the property 
west part of England. The younger Matthew later on, and in 1871 built a new brick house, fit- 
learned his father's trade, and followed it during ting it up throughout witli hot and oold wiater, 
his residence in the Old Country. He was mar- together with other modern fixtures. This was 
ried in England to Elizabeth Margin, who be- the first house in the toavnship so equipped, 
came the mother of John Hawley, and through When John Hawley first began farming for 
him the grandmother of the subject of this per- himself,he paid a great deal of attention to sheep- 
sonal history. Matthew Hawley arrived in raising, owning some of the finest flocks ever 
America in 1841. and fii'st made his home in the seen in Lawrence County. Later he devoted his 
State of ( )hio. The country in -ttiiich ihe took farm to general stock-raising and grain. He 
up his home was quite hilly. Happening to built spacious bams as they were needed. He 
make a visit to the western part of Malhoning also became the owner of another farm of 250 
township, Lawrence County, he saw a place that acres, on w'hich he ihas built a house and barns, 
suited Iiini better than did the Ohio home. This He was married to Angehna Brown, daughter 
Pennsylvania farm of 117 acres he purchased of WilHiam Brown, and to this couple nine chil- 
froni William Strain, and at once settled upon dren have been born; WiUiam, a farmer of Pu- 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



659 



laski township; Lizzie A. (I'adcn), the subject of 
this article; Lottie, who married William Har- 
land; Georg^e, who is farming on one of the 
homestead farms; P.rown, a merchant; Thomas, 
vvlio is employed in the ])ostoffice; ?klary, who 
died at the ag'C of sixteen; Reece, who is liviiitj 
at home; and Jane, also at home. John Haw- 
ley is one of the leading and most influential 
memhers of the Democratic party in Mahoning 
township. He has held several offices, among 
them those of overseer of the poor, school direc- 
tor and sni)ervisor. He is very liberal in relig- 
ious matters, and is in every sense a broad- 
minded and well-informed citizen. 

Mrs. Paden returned to Hillsville after the de- 
cease of her husband, and in the fall of 1886 was 
appointed postmistress at that point. With the 
emergy and enterprise so characteristic of her 
family, she opened in connection witJi the office 
a store, beginning in rather a small way, but in- 
creasing lier sitock and broadening her field of 
operations as her efforts met the appreciation 
and approval of her towns-people. It soon 
became necessary to enlarge her quarters, 
so the present large store was built, 
equipped and stocked with the thousand 
and one things that go to make up the re- 
sources of a general store. In this building, the 
second floor is used for living purposes. The 
tenement house which adjoins the store was 
built l)y and is the ])roperty of our subject. 

Mrs. I'aden has fully establisilie<l the fact that 
she is a woman of extraordinary resources, 
h'ew people, being left alone as she was with no 
special training for business, would have known 
what to do, nor could they liave turned so quick- 
ly from domestic cares and duties to the task of 



bread-winning and the busy whirl of a mercan- 
tile life. The business has grown to large pro- 
jxjrtions, and all through the efforts of the pro- 
prietor to deal fairly and alike with all. Her per- 
severance and good business sense are admired 
in the comnnmity. in which her success has been 
' steady and deserved. 



BROOKS P.ROADBENT* bas for some 
years past been recognized and regarded as one 
of the solid men of New Wilmington, Lawrence 
Co., Pa. WJiatever success has fallen to his lot 
has come as the direct result of thrift and pains- 
taking care of all the opportunities which have 
presented themselves. Mr. IjPoadbent is of a 
family whose traits have ever led them in the 
best walks of life. The blood that flows in his 
veins is of the same kind that has made the sons 
and grandsons of fair P.ritannia attain to promi- 
nence and utility at whatsoever point on this 
green earth the spirit of advancement has caused 
them to locate. Mr. P)roadbent is a son of 
Henry l>roadbent, and grandson of a gentleman 
of the same name. 

Henry Broadbent. father of our subject, was 
bom, educated and trained in England. His 
father, Henry Broadbent, Sr., had grown up in 
tile dry goods business, so the yt)iuig man knt^v 
quite a little of mercantile ways and methods, 
when, at the age of fifteen, he came to America. 
His first location was in Mercer Co., Pa., wJiere 
after working a few years he purchased a farm 
of fifty acres. He conducted this place for two 
years, and then sold it and moved to Fayette- 
ville, Wilmington township, where he went into 



660 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



the grocery business as a successor to his 
brother. Here he remained, leading a busy life, 
until his early death at the age of forty-nine. He 
left at his decease his faithful helpmeet, who was 
a Miss Liddie W'aterhousc. and a family of five 
children, by name; (ieorge \\'.: William J.: 
Charles E. ; Brooks, the subject of our sketch; 
and Thomas H. Though Mr. Broadbent de- 
parted this life a comparatively young man. he 
was remembered well liy all of his children as a 
true and loving father, who had set them an ex- 
ample of the I^ght way of living. His sterling 



Mr. Broadbent was united for life in the bonds 
of matrimony with Lizzie Weed of Mercer Co., 
Pa., and since their marriage three children 
have become inmates of the household, and shar- 
ers of the parental love; they are named Nelhe, 
Henry, and James R. The family have been 
brought up in the Presbyterian Church, of which 
the parents are regular attendants. 

Mr. Broadbent of to-day is a hard-working 
citizen, one w^hose entire time is taken up with 
the routine work of life. He has in his life ac- 
complished enough to justify him in retiring and 



(|ualities were spoken of with many words of taking the afifairs of life easier: but so keen is 
conmiendation, and his l>lessed memory is held his interest in the busy, work-a-day world, that 
in reverence by his descendants, and others who he feels like sticking to his post until the grim 



came within the inner circle of his love and in- 
fluence. 

Brooks Broadbent received his educational 
training in 'the common schools of what was 
then a part of Mercer County, but is now in- 
cluded in Lawrence County. His boyhood days 
were busy ones, for he earlv learned the value of 
time and the sure and certain results of industrv. 



reaper shall call him home. Everyone wiho 
knows Mr. Broadbent appreciates and respects 
his manner of life, atid his common-sense way of 
looking at things. Cool and conservative in 
judgment, his ideas and opinions have weight 
among his colleagues. He is a man who knows 
much of life and human nature. He is a good 
judge of men, and rarely makes a mistake in his 



At the demise of ihis father he partly inherited estimate of them. As a farmer, a citizen, and a 
the place which he now owns, a farm compris- true American, he stands among those who 



ing some 140 acres of dlioice land. When the 
father left this life and busy world behind him 
he had just begun a hue of improvements which 
our subject Ihais been diligent in carrying out. 
The house -has been thoroughly remodeled and 
spacious barns, adapted for every conceivable 
need in that direction, have been erected. Every 
part of the estate, that would admit of a better 
condition, he put in that shape, so that it is now 
hard to find a better-kept piece of farming prop- 
erty, or one wliich shows more prominently 
painstaking care than does this one. 



make up the best class of people of this, the fair- 
est portion of the Keystone State. 



EDWARD J. MURPHY.* This gentleman, 
a resident of Mahoningtown, has been perform- 
ing the duties of engineer for the P., F. W. & C. 
R. R. for over a cjuarter of a century, and it is 
very probable that there is no engineer of long 
or short service in Lawrence County who is so 
well known and as favorably known as he is. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



(itU 



The very fact of his being continued in the ser- 
vice of one company for such a length of rime 
shows that his work must have been satisfactory 
at all times and up to all the requirements of the 
road, and it also illustrates his staying qualities, 
for as long as no fault was found with him and 
he was not shabbily treated he was content to 
remain in the employ of the same road on wiilch 
he commenced railroading thirty-two years ago. 
His is a splendid record, and he may well feel a 
little pride that Tie is held in such high regard 
by his superiors in the service. His friends arc 
practically without number, for go where you 
will, you will find somebody who has a good 
word for him, or a yarn to tell of the days when 
they were together in the service of the P., F. 
W. & C. R. R. 

Air. Murphy was born in Allegheny City 
Sept. 2j, 1846, and was a son of Thomas and 
Nellie (Daady) Murphy, both natives of Ireland, 
where they grew up and married. Thomas Mur- 
phy was a farmer in the old country; he died in 
Allegheny City, when his son, the subject of this 
sketch, was only four or five years of age. 

Edward J. was reared in the Second Ward of 
Allegheny City, and attended the public schools 
until he was fourteen years of age, making his 
home in the meantime with his uncle, his moth- 
er's brother. His first work was in the estab- 
lishment of a tobacconist, a Mr. jMcGinnis. He 
commenced his railroading in September, 1865. 
for the P., F. W. & C. R. R., working in the car 
yards for a year. Then for five years he served 
as fireman; about this time, while oiling an en- 
gine, it was started through the carelessness of 
the engineer, and inflicted injuries so serious on 
Mr. Murphy that for two years he was unable to 



perform any of his duties. When he was again 
able to work he was promoted to the post of en- 
gineer, beginning work in that capacitv in June, 
1870. at which time he came to Xew Castle, and 
ever since then has been in charge of an engine 
for the P.. F. \V. & C. R. R. From 1874 to 1883 
he lived in Youngstown, from 1883 to 1886 in 
Xew Castle, and since that date in Mahoning- 
town. 

On Jan. 27, 1874, he was married in Xew Cas- 
tle to Fannie Robinson, daughter of Andrew G. 
and Frances (Edwards) Robinson. Andrew G. 
Robinson was born in the region of Hollidays- 
burg. Pa., about 1812, one of a family of sixteen 
boys and one girl, and followed charcoal burn- 
ing until bituminous coal took the place of char- 
coal in the iron furnaces, when he learned the 
trade of an iron-worker, and was employed in 
the iron mills the remaining years of his life. He 
died in Xew Castle at the age of seventy-three 
years. His wife was born in Wales in 1813, and 
with her two brothers, they being left orphans at 
an early age, came to the United States and set- 
tled in Hollidaysburg. Of the family of eleven 
children born to her, seven boys and four girls, 
in the aggregate, seven survive. Following is 
tlie record: Sarah Jane, who married Howard 
Huttenbaugh, an operative in the rolling mills 
of Xew Castle; David, who was killed in the late 
'war; Thomas, deceased; Zechariah, a mill oper- 
ative of X'ew Castle; Joseph, the chief of police 
of Xew Castle: Andrew, a puddler in the iron 
works of Xew Castle; Edward, deceased; Lizzie, 
deceased; Margaret, the wife of Charles Owery, 
a mill operative of Xew Castle; James W ., whose 
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; and 
Fannie, the wife of our subject. Two children 



fi62 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY 



have been l)orn to Mr. and Mrs. Murphy; An- 
drew Gerry and Nellie I'Vances. The family are 
attendants of the M. E. Church. Mr. Murphy is 
a Republican in his politics. He is a niemlier of 
the ^Masonic fraternity, and has taken seventeen 
degrees of the ritual, and belong-s to the follow- 
ing organizations: \\'estern Star Lodge No. 21 : 
Mahoning Chapter No. 93: INIahoning Council 
of Youngstown. Ohio, No. 45; Lawrence Com- 
niandery of New Castle, No. 62; and Zeni Zeni 
Temple of Erie, Pa. 



PROF. JAMES A. WATSON,- a respected 
and honored school-teacher of Lawrence County, 
who is most :highly esteemed for his exceptional 
success in matters educational, and who for six 
vears was superintendent of schools of the coun- 
ty, is living on his farm in Wilmington township, 
near P'ayetteville, but has not given up alto- 
gether his vocation as an educator for the calling 
of a farmer. He comes fnim a good, respectable 
family of agriculturists, who have given material 
assistance in the developing of LawTence 
County. 

The great-grandfather of our subject, John 
Watson, was born east of the mountains and re- 
nroved to Fayetteville in 181 1, where he engaged 
in agricultural pursuits, and made his home on 
■the Whereham farm of 150 acres. This prop- 
erty, when he took possession of it, could hardly 
be called a farm, for it was as yet almost unim- 
proved and a dense forest covered the greater 
part of it; under the supervision of our subject's 
worthy ancestor, the trees were felled and the 



soil gradually and slowly made ready for the 
growth of crops. He then bought the land, 
whicii is no'w owned and farmed by Prof. Wat- 
son. It was here- that death came to him sud- 
denl\- and without warning in 1826, when he 
was aged sixty-five years; he happened to be 
driving a yoke of oxen attached to a wagon, and 
in some manner was thrown from the vehicle 
upon- a rock in the roadway, and his neck 
broken. His wife, who was a ]Miss Wilson of 
Juniata Co., Pa., bore him three children— -Dr. 
William of Bedford Springs. Hugh, a school- 
teacher, and James, the grandfather of <-iur sub- 
ject. 

The grandfather, James \\'atson, spent most 
of his life near Fayetteville, and his occupation 
for a number of years was the operation of a 
distillery, which he constructed himself. L'pon 
his father's decease, he bought the interests of 
the other heirs to the homestead and m ule the 
old place his home until death, supporting him- 
self and ])roviding for the wants of his family 
b\' cultivating the farm that his father had tilled 
before him. In 1835 '^^ ^^'^^ elected to the posi- 
tion of sheriff of Lawrence County, in which po- 
sition he accjuitted himself with credit, making 
himself generally feared by the evil-doers. Late 
in life he married Catherine Douglass, and the 
members of their family were: John, deceased; 
William J., the farther of our subject; Robert; 
James; and Catherine. 

Prof. Tames Watson, in whom the interest of 
this sketch centers, is a graduate of Westminster 
College, and also of the Edinboro State Normal 
School and Grove City College, where he pur- 
sued his studies until he had completed his edu- 
cation and fitted himself for his chosen profes- 



BOOK OF BfOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY. 



mz 



sion of teaohing. In i8yo his work was given Watson's demise when the Professor chose an 
Che prominence that was the fruit of untiring estimable lady, .Mary Bingham, daughter of 



toil and endeavor to fulfill his duties as an edu- 
cator, and he was elected superintendent of the 
county schools, holding this position for six 
years. He exhibited marked qualifications for 
the office, and added during his term of office 
much to the efficiency of the sdiools throughout 
the county. He is popular not only among his 
fellow-educators and teachers but also among 
the general public, which is ever ready to appre 
ciate honest endeavor and superior work. 

In 1896 Prof. Watson bought one hundred 
acres of land near Fayetteville, where he has es- 
tablished his home, but does not anticipate en- 
tering largely into agricultural pursuits. His 
wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Graham, left 
him at her death three daug'hters, named: Anna, 
the wife of G. E. Daniels; Nellie, who married 
M. D. McCarthy; and Margaret, the wife of C. 
W. Wilson .Some time had elapsed after Mrs. 



James Bingham, to preside over his household 
and share his fortunes. Prof. Watson is a sturdy 
Repubhcan, politically, and is enabled by his po- 
sition to work intelligently for the party. He is 
a man of great force of character, decided in his 
opinions, and when he is convinced that he is 
right, he expresses his views fearlessly. He has 
been a great reader and deep thinker, and his 
large experience, both in the field of the educa- 
tor and in general business relations, have tended 
to great self-reliance and stamina, which are t!:e 
most admirable qualities in a man's possession. 
He and his family are faithful members of the 
church of their choice, the Presbyterian. Hav- 
ing made for himself a place in the difficult lifo- 
work he has undertaken. Prof. W'atson com- 
mands the respect of the entire community ami 
is regarded as an authority on matters educa- 
tiomal. 



I N 13 E X 



B I OG 1^1 A P H I C A I 



A Page 

Aiken, Hon. David \V 30 

Aiken. Robert C. 240 

Aiken, Prof. William N 472 

Alborn. Charles F 630 

Alborn. Henry C 81 

Ale.xander. Kev. Moses C 451 

Allen, Jacob .S 2i)S 

Allen, Thomas 203 

Anderson, Alexander 349 

Arrow, George \V 537 

B 

Bailey, Kev. John A 4^3 

Banks, Lewis. 554 

Barnes. David F i SS 

Barnes, Samuel A 78 

Barnes, William 576 

Barnett, David 535 

Bay, William 52S 

Bear, Mrs. Elizabeth J 553 

Bell, John 53* 

Binning, William S 2cjg 

Bitner, Daniel 422 

Blackstone. Kiank A 447 

Blackwood, Dr. Thomas J 625 

Blair. Dr. John A 447 

Blanchard, William 627 

Blatt, Henry S 255 

Blevins, John 407 

Blim, Mrs. Mary M 392 

Boak, Dr. Robert G 562 

Boggs, Jacob K 247 

Book, George 291 

Booksing, I lenry i')9 

Boyd, George Johnson, M. D 191 

Boyd. Joseph H 307 

Braby, William II 546 



Pa(;k 

Broadbent, Broods 659 

Brown, Henry V 220 

Brown. James P 3(>(> 

Brown, John B 37 

Brown, John D 652 

Brown. William 5^7 

Browne. Robert .\udley, I). 1). ... 17 

Buchanan, Charles F 17" 

Buchanan, Milton 1 3*'5 

Buchanan. William H f>46 

c 

Cage, Robert E 405 

Cain, John W 656 

Cain, Dr. I.eander F 641 

Campbell. James 1 1 1 

Campbell, Joseph J. V 302 

Caswell. Flisha Elbridge 403 

Chambers, William C 121 

Chambers, William H 226 

Christie, David W 544 

Clark, Charles .S 570 

Clark, General William -A 510 

Clifton, Warren \i 324 

Cline, Conrad 2S4 

Cochran, Lewis C 39 

Cochran. Mrs. Nancy 1S3 

Cole, Andrew C 395 

Colnot, Jacob 74 

Connor. James 130 

Cook. James J 423 

Cooper, David P 201 

Cooper. Dr. Edwin .S 5^5 

Cooper, Dr. Jesse R 624 

Cooper, Dr. Joseph L 27 

Cornelius, Jesse S 4C17 

Cosgrove. William 141 



Talk 

Courtney. Philip T 631 

Cover, Mrs. Elzedda 642 

Cover, .Samuel 374 

Cox, Thomas 505 

Cox, William H 55 

Crawford, Walter .S 40S 

Cunningham, David L 186 

Cunningham, Dr. Dewees 3tS 

Cunningham, H. Ira 47° 

Currvj William 338 

D 

Dach, Ludwig 650 

Daly, Martin R 345 

Davidson, James Ramsey 267 -A — 

Davis, William 142 

Dean, Isaac P 234 

I )icc, Rev. John S 265 

I )icks, Robert 479 

Di.von, Joseph 134 

Doran, Mrs. Jane 4'i 

Douds, William F 270 

Dougherty. James K 105 

Douglas, David Elliott 333 

Douglas, John I larvey 209 

Douthitt, William 61S 

Drescher, Major Henry 639 

Duffy, Charles 629 

Dugan, Thomas 'So 

E 

Edwards, Hon. Henry 160 

Eger, Rev. Francis Joseph 541 

Elder, John 32 

Elliott, William D 593 

Emery, Samuel 1' 114 

Evans, William .A 38 



r,6fi 



INDEX. 



F Page 

Fallis, James N 40 

Falls, Wallace II go 

Ferver, Joseph C 517 

Fisher, J. Johnston 30S 

Foltz, Samuel 274 

FVench, Mrs. Rebecca 514 

Fulkerson, David P 13 

Fulkerson, John C 23 

Fulkerson, Hon. Robert J 53 

Fulmer, Thomas J 645 

G 

Gageby, George W 427 

Gallagher, Rev. Joseph Francis. . 579 

Gardner, James A 7g 

(bearing, William 5 1 S 

Gilmore, William T g7 

Gott. Ralph 526 

Green, Alexander .M 634 

Greer, Rev. Thomas 525 

Griffith, Israel N 337 

Grove, Capt. Abraham C 414 

H 

Hammond, Harvey C 25S 

Hardaker, Joseph Burnley 117 

Hartman, George W 578 

Hartselt, McClure 341 

Hartsuff , Hiram K 502 

Haun, Dr. James Reynolds 493 

Hazen, Henry W 567 

Hazen, John B 455 

Henry, T. Logan 277 

Hess, Freeman R 477 

Hess, William C 632 

Hill, Frank .S 8g 

Hinkson, John. ' 543 

Hoffmaster, Solomon ;8i 

Hoover, James R 48 

Hough, Alexander 233 

Houk, Isaac R 463 

Howard, Harry ... I4g 

Hunt, George ig2 

I 

Ingham, Gershum B 501 

Irvin, John 11 435 

J 

Jackson, Colonel g 

Jackson, W. Edwin, D. D. S loi 

Jameson, David 436 

leffcries, Benjamin Y 522 



Page 

Johnson, George W 503 

Jones. ( leorge J 102 

Jordan, Alexander 640 

Jordan, John 5og 

Jordan, Kinsey 653 

K 

Keilh, Benjamin 20S 

Kelley, John J 215 

Kelly, Frank L 42S 

Kemp, John P 604 

Kennedy, .Samuel M 616 

Kenny, Wildress A 326 

King, Seth R 120 

Kissick, Joseph 56 

Knobloch, Michael 6ig 

Knox, James William 3S7 

Knox, John W 632 

Kyle, Henry 373 

L 

Lawrence, James M 104 

Leslie, Howard D 605 

Leslie, William H 167 

Lindsey, Thomas S 545 

I.inville, Dr. Montgomery 77 

Locke, William H 22S 

Long, James M 223 

Long, Joseph Dick 243 

Long, Scott D 87 

Lostetter, Prof. James A 5ig 

Lowry, William S 37S 

I.utton, Dr. Joseph R 377 

M 

Maitland, Perry 305 

Major, Frank P 432 

Marquis, Milton S 125 

Marshall, David C 273 

Marshall, John 413 

Marshall, William Hillis 43g 

Martin, Judge J. Norman 225 

Martin, James R 420 

Martin, Thomas 332 

Martin, William C 453 

Matheny, Elijah Gad 285 

Matthews, Charles 416 

Mayne, James M 22 

Mc.-Xnlis, John Y 362 

McCleary, Joseph W 207 

McCleary, Thomas J ig6 

McClure, Robert C 61 r 

McClusky, William D 583 

McComb, Rev. John 339 



Pa..e 

McComb, Col. Robert B 557 

McConaghy, Alexander 571 

McConnell, Malcolm 217 

McCracken, Hon. George W 521 

McCready, Hugh J 461 

McCreary. Ernest M 606 

McCreary, Samuel . . .-. 572 

McCreary, Samuel Clark 54g 

McCune, William 527 

McFarland, Mrs. Elizabeth 211 

McGinnis, John M 152 

McGraw. John 5g5 

McKinley, George H 313 

McKinley, Willis J 3gi 

McKnight, Robert 575 

McMillin, Herman E., M. D 281 

McMillin, James A sgi 

Mealy, Dr. George N 536 

Means, Hugh L 480 

Mehard, George IL, M. D 44C 

Menice, James J 200 

Merriman, Hiram V 37g 

Micheltree, Esq. William W 127 

Miller, Frederick Carpenter 136 

Miller, Horace G 381 

Miller, James R 389 

Miller, John C 77 

Miller, John J 372 

Miller, Dr. Walter E 294 

Moncreif, William 239 

Moore, Edwin D 649 

Moore, Harry M 486 

Moorhead, Samuel 175 

Morehead, Thomas F 29 

Morris, David S 235 

Mimibaugh, Jacob 504 

Murphy, Edward J 660 

Myland, J. Leslie 644 

N 

Neal, Benjamin 350 

Newell, Alexander 310 

Newell. Archibald D 71 

Newell, John D. F 71 

News, The New Castle 260 

Nickum, John W 244 

Norris, David S 65 

Norris, James C 88 

Nye, Dan 293 

Nye, George B 321 

Nye, Nathaniel 158 

o 

Offutt, John C 440 



INDEX. 



mi 



P Pa<;e 

Paden, Mrs. Lizzie Ann 657 

Parker, John 406 

Parshall, William 444 

Parsons, Prof. William 369 

Pattison, Robert D 4S5 

Pattison, William S 31S 

Patterson. John D 150 

Patton, James V 569 

Peters, Rev. Frank Randolph 66 

Phillip, Mrs. Florence L 560 

Phillip. Elder John T 43 

Phillips, James R 172 

Pitts, John F 648 

Pitzer, liazzelleel 2S9 

Pitzer, Cress 151 

Pitzer, Joseph D 657 

Pleas, Charles 342 

Pollock, James K., M. D 6r 

Poister. Frederick E 498 

Porter, Dr. Cassius M 145 

Potter, John R 24S 

Preston, John II 636 

Pryor, George G 475 

R 

Raney, J.imes A 157 

Raney, James C 227 

Redmond, Dr. Robert E 615 

Reed, Archie 2S2 

Reed, Dr. Charles A 62 r 

Reed, Luther M 249 

Reed, William E 62 

Reno, Gilbert Lafayette 144 

Reno, Menry B 448 

Repnian, Levi 36 1 

Reynolds, Charles L 582 

Reynolds, Peter S 199 

Reynolds, William II 421 

Rhodes, Abraham 133 

Rhodes. Irwin 236 

Rhodes, J. Wesley 5S9 

Rhodes, Peter S 45 

Rigby, Seth 610 

Riley, John 330 

Robinson, James W 46 

Robinson, Robert Paisley 404 

Robison, John C 95 

Rodenbaugh, William B 301 

Rogers, Charles C 380 

Rogers, John N 462 



P.^tiE 

Ruby, John X 566 

Russell, Robert 525 

s 

Sample, Luther H., Esq 12S 

Samuel. David 612 

Sankey, Charles II 232 

Sankcy, Clinton E 194 

Sankey, Ezekiel K 85 

Scanlon, Patrick J 109 

Schweikert, Joseph 608 

Scott. A. Talcott 73 

Shannon, William A., M. I) 185 

Sheafler, Hon. John 637 

Shearer, John C 530 

Shira. Hiram C 647 

Simison, Parker 495 

Slemmons, Samuel D 357 

Smith, Edward L 437 

Smith, Forgus F 58 

Smith, John A., M. D 623 

Smith, John D 69 

Smith. Mrs. R. Emeline 443 

Smith, Samuel II 215 

Smith, Samuel W 57 

Snider, John H 596 

Sproull, Dr. John P 609 

Stevenson, Elisha M 346 

Stevenson. Silas, M. D 170 

Stewart, James F 65 1 

Stewart, Rev. Robert Curtis 552 

Stewart, Thomas M 356 

Streib, W illiam H 317 

Stright, Charles B 224 

Swisher. Hosea H 259 

T 

Taggart, John Smith 2S3 

Taylor, John W 269 

Taylor, Rev. William M.. D. D... 459 

Thomas, John 496 

Thompson, John 1 96 

Tidbail, David, Esq 419 

Todd, Hon. Robert A 654 

Toner, Dr. Mark F 62S 

Travers, John \' 626 

Treser, Adam 329 

Truesdale, Frank N 82 

Turner, Samuel P 178 

Turner, Winlield S 297 



Van Gorder, Alvah S 4S7 

Van Gorder, Israel 12 



w 

Waddington, J. Seth 276 

W'addington, John W 558 

Waddington, William W 431 

Wallace, John 325 

Wallace, Robert 112 

Wallace, Judge William D 35 

Walter, Joseph T 118 

Ward, James 533 

Watson, Hiram 122 

Watson, Prof. James A O62 

Watson, Philip J 468 

Weinschenk. George G 106 

Weinschenk, William Henry 315 

Weir, Andrew V 257 

Weitz, Frank 154 

Welch, James 1 371 

Welsh, John L 138 

Westminster College ^34 

Wheildon. Albert B 252 

White, Chester L. . . . 162 

White, Joseph S 241 

White, Dr. Maria 93 

Whippo, James 353 

Wick, Revillian T 28 

Wick, Samuel L 454 

Wilder, Shubael T 601 

Wilkin, John 11 331 

Wilson, George Ilarvcy 39S 

Wilson, Robert F 323 

Winter, Rev. Thomas W' 550 

Winter, William F 603 

Winters, John 103 

Wood .James S 363 

Wood, Wick W 231 

Woods, William C 476 

Wright, Joseph 620 

Y 

Young, Phillip \ 322 

Young, Sylvester M 399 



Ziegler, R. E. W 429 



<;(is 



INDEX. 



PORTRAITS. 



Page 

Alexander, Kev. Moses C 450 

Bailey, Rev. [ohn A 4S2 

Blatt, Henry .S 254 

Boggs, Jacob R 246 

Boyd, George Johnson, M. I) 190 

Brown, William 5S6 

Browne, Robert Audley, U. D, . . . 16 

Caswell, Elisha Elbridge 402 

Cochran, Mrs Nancy, and hus- 
band James 1 82 

Cole, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew C. . . . 394 

Cooper, Dr. Edwin S 564 

Cooper, Dr. Joseph L 26 

Cornelius, Jesse S 466 

Cosgrove, William 140 

Daly, Mr. and Mrs. Martin R. . . . 344 

Dice, Rev. John S 262 

Dice, Mrs. John S 263 

Eger, Rev. Francis Joseph 540 

Ferver, Joseph C 516 

Fulkerson, Hon. Robert J 50 

Fulkerson, Mrs. Robert J 51 

Gageby, George W 426 

Greer, Rev. Thomas 524 

Griffith, Isaac N 336 

Hardaker, Joseph Rurnley 116 

llaun. Dr. James Reynolds 490 



Pace 

Haun, Mrs. James R 491 

Howard, Harry 14S 

Ingham, Gershum B 500 

Irviii, John B 434 

Jackson, Colonel S 

Jackson, W. Edwin, D. D. S 100 

Jordan, John 5,o3 

Kelley, John J 214 

Knox, James William 384 

Kno.\, Mrs. James W 3S5 

Leslie, William H. . ... 164 

Leslie, Mrs. William H 165 

L-inville. Dr. Montgomery 76 

Long, Mr. and Mrs. James M. . . . 222 

Lutton, Dr. Joseph R 376 

Maitland, Perry 304 

Marquis, Milton S 124 

Marshall, David C 272 

McCleary, Joseph W 206 

McComb, Col. Robert li 556 

McCreary, Samuel Clark 54S 

McKinley, George II 312 

McKnight, Robert 574 

McMillin, Herbert E., M. D 2S0 

Moncreif, William 238 

Moorhead, Sanmel 174 

Nye, George B 320 



Page 

Larsons, Prof. William 368 

Phillip, Elder John T 42 

Pitzer, Bazzelleel ... 28S 

Pollock. James K., M. D 58 

Pryor, George G 474 

Raney, James .^ 156 

Redmond, Dr. Robert E O14 

Repnian, Levi 360 

Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. Peter S.. 198 

Rhodes, Abraham 132 

Sankey, Ezekiel R 84 

Scanlon, Patrick J loS 

Smith, William H 68 

Smith, William John Stevely 442 

Taylor, Rev. William M., D. D... 45S 

Thomson, Alexander 410 

Tidball, David, Esq 41 S 

Treser, Adam 32S 

Turner, W infield S 296 

Wallace, Judge William 1) 34 

Ward, James 532 

Whippo. Dr. Charles Tillotson.. . . 352 

White, Dr. Maria 92 

Wilder, Shubael T 59S 

Wilder, Mrs. Shubael T 599 

Wood, Wick W., and daughter 
Edna T 230 



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